South Korean ambassador Jeong-sik Kang said Australia was a “trusted and reliable partner” but warned against risking investment and supply contracts for gas being exported to Korea.
“Korean companies such as Kogas have significantly invested in Australia with confidence on strong and mutually beneficial partnership between our two countries,” he said.
“It is in the best interest of our two nations to ensure stable and reliable trade and investment of LNG while honouring contractual relationships.”
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In the past financial year,South Korea bought $7.1 billion of LNG shipments from Australia and $4.4 billion of thermal coal.
Japan is another major energy customer of Australia. An embassy spokesperson said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was assured by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in October at a meeting in Perth that Australia recognised the “critical importance of enhancing energy security co-operation” including liquefied natural gas.
“While we are following with great interest the discussion within Australia regarding gas,Japan has been reassured repeatedly by the Australian government at various levels that Australia will remain a trusted and reliable supplier of resources to Japan and a safe place to invest,” the spokesperson said.