Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Paik Un-gyu, will discuss expansion of economic cooperation with his counterparts during a four-day visit to Singapore and Thailand, according to the ministry on Monday.

His visit to the two nations is seen as part of the President Moon Jae-in’s recent promise to bolster ties with Southeast Asia. 

During the stay in Singapore, Paik is slated to have a dialogue with Chan Chun Sing, the minister for trade and industry, over cooperation in smart energy and energy self-sufficient island. The energy self-sufficient island is a Korean public project with the aim of making islands self-sufficient with new regeneration energy.

In Thailand, Paik will meet with its prime minister and ministers of industry and energy. In the nation, around 400 Korean companies have already made a presence mainly in the electronics industries. The discussions will encompass future industries, including electric cars and biotechnology, according to the government.

By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)