On September 2, 2025, in Belgrade, the Korea–Serbia Strategic Energy Development Forum brought together Serbia and Korea’s top energy minds under one roof, uniting policy and technology around a shared priority: securing Serbia’s energy future through nuclear, hydrogen, and renewables. Against the backdrop of global shifts in energy, the two countries placed cooperation at the heart of the conversation — with energy security emerging as Serbia’s defining theme.
Opening and MoU ceremony
The forum began with a welcome from Kim Hyeon-cheol, Director General of KOTRA Europe HQ, setting a collaborative tone. H.E. Kim Hyung-tae, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Serbia, followed with congratulatory remarks that framed energy as both a technological and diplomatic bridge.
Two keynote addresses underscored this message. Dr. Whang Joo-ho, President & CEO of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), and Béla Balint, Serbia’s Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, spoke of shared visions for sustainable growth and innovation-driven cooperation.
The day’s first milestone came quickly: the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy and KHNP. More than just ceremony, the agreement pointed to concrete future projects in nuclear energy and hydrogen — a signal of deepening strategic cooperation.
Serbian perspectives: energy strategy and security
When Radoš Popadić, Assistant Minister of Mining and Energy, took the stage, he spoke about Serbia’s Energy Development Strategy up to 2024. His overview of the country’s electricity mix — still heavily reliant on coal — set the scene for Serbia’s strategic priorities: diversifying energy sources, boosting efficiency, and strengthening resilience. The emphasis on energy security, echoed by other Serbian voices throughout the day, gave the discussions both urgency and direction.
Aleksandar Latinović, Head of the H₂ Department at EPS, illustrated this with concrete examples, detailing projects such as TPP Kostolac, PSHPP Bistrica, and SPP Petka. Alongside these large-scale undertakings, he also pointed to a series of planned renewable and hydrogen projects, painting a picture of a sector in transition.
Adding depth and perspective, Dr. Slavko Dimović, Director of the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, traced the Institute’s history and international partnerships. His remarks stressed the importance of nuclear power not just for innovation, but as a cornerstone of Serbia’s long-term energy security.
Korean expertise and KOTRA’s vision
From the Korean side, the focus was on experience and technological know-how. Park So-hyun of KHNP offered insights into the state of nuclear power in Korea and highlighted international business cases, underscoring Korea’s proven capabilities in building safe and efficient plants.
Turning to hydrogen, Kim Su-Jy, Senior Manager at KHNP, described Korea’s projects in production and utilization, presenting hydrogen as both a renewable solution and a foundation for future cooperation with Serbia. Her remarks pointed to growing opportunities for international collaboration in this fast-evolving field.
Closing the program, Milan Rajić, Senior Specialist at KOTRA, stepped back to explain KOTRA’s mission and its presence in Belgrade. He linked vision to practice by recalling concrete initiatives, such as the City of Belgrade – Residential Energy Efficiency Saving Program (2022), and stressed the role KOTRA plays in building bridges between Korean companies and Serbian partners.
Significance of the Forum
By the end of the day, one message was clear: this forum was not just about exchanging presentations, but about charting a joint course forward. For Serbia, it highlighted the urgency of diversifying its energy mix, accelerating green projects, and reinforcing national energy security. For Korea, it opened a gateway to expand its European presence through nuclear, hydrogen, and renewable ventures. In a region where energy has long been a matter of both policy and geopolitics, the Korea–Serbia Strategic Energy Development Forum stood out as a moment where expertise, strategy, and shared ambition converged.
Read more about ongoing and past events here
