By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon met with German Ambassador to Korea Wilfried Georg Schmidt to discuss carbon-neutral cooperation.

“Jeju is expanding the proportion of renewable energy generation to 70 percent and building a 7-gigawatt power generation facility in accordance with the energy transformation plan,” Oh said during the meeting at the provincial government office on March 14, according to Jeju Island.

‘In particular, we have succeeded in producing green hydrogen using surplus electricity and are even operating hydrogen buses,’ he explained.

In response, Ambassador Schmidt said that Jeju's policies are very impressive, adding, “Germany is also promoting transformation in various fields, including energy, so we are particularly interested in Jeju's policies.”

He also expressed interest in the 'Special Act on Promotion of Offshore Wind Power and Industry Development' that recently passed the National Assembly, saying, “In Germany, zoning and administrative procedures for offshore wind farms are major challenges.”

In response, Oh said, “Jeju Island has the authority to license offshore wind power under the special law, so it has the strongest resident acceptance of renewable energy” and welcomed the investment of German companies.

Ambassador Schmidt suggested introducing Jeju's green tourism to the International Tourism Fair (ITB), which is held annually in Berlin.

Schmidt's visit to Jeju comes on the occasion of his lecture at Jeju National University's German Department. He will visit Hangwon Green Hydrogen Production Complex, and Stone Culture Park later in the day.