Executive Director meets with President Lee of Korea to discuss key energy priorities
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol met with President Lee Jae Myung of Korea in Seoul on 17 September 2026
In Seoul, Dr Birol visits the President at the Blue House and meets with the Energy Minister and other high-level government officials on energy security, electrification and more
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol met with President Lee Jae Myung of Korea in Seoul today to discuss the latest developments in energy markets amid the conflict in the Middle East and Korea’s energy policy priorities.
In the bilateral meeting at the Blue House, the official office and residence of the Korean President, Dr Birol and President Lee spoke about Korea’s efforts to put electricity at the centre of its energy strategy and the roles of renewables and nuclear power in its energy system. They also discussed ways in which the IEA and Korea can work together to support energy security and sustainability across Asia. During the conversation, President Lee expressed his strong appreciation for the work of Dr Birol and the IEA in responding to the energy market disruptions stemming from the Middle East conflict.
Meeting between IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol and President Lee Jae Myung of Korea at the Blue House in Seoul
While in Seoul, Dr Birol also met with Korea's Minister for Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sung-hwan. At a joint press conference attended by dozens of journalists, they announced the RISE ASIA initiative, under which Korea and the IEA will deepen cooperation in support of expanding energy security, affordability and sustainability across the region.
In addition, Dr Birol delivered the keynote address at an event in Seoul marking the 40th anniversary of the Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI). He met with KEEI President Hyun Jae-kim, and delivered a keynote address focused on developments in global energy markets and the IEA’s longstanding work with the KEEI.
Dr Birol also visited Busan, where he delivered a keynote address at a major international energy conference. In his remarks to an audience of some 1,000 people, Dr Birol spoke about how countries are reassessing their energy strategies in response to the current energy crisis. He noted that in a rapidly changing world, technology and innovation are essential for strengthening energy security, boosting economic growth and accelerating emissions reductions.