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U.S., South Korea ink clean energy deals

U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in the Cross Hall as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House in Washington, DC on October 13, 2011. The State Visit comes only a day after congress passed a free trade agreement with South Korea. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg
1 of 3 | U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in the Cross Hall as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House in Washington, DC on October 13, 2011. The State Visit comes only a day after congress passed a free trade agreement with South Korea. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Washington and Seoul will use bilateral agreements to advance clean energy and improve research and technology in the field, the U.S. energy secretary said.

On Friday, U.S. President Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak visited a General Motors plant in Detroit, the Detroit News reports. U.S. lawmakers announced Wednesday they cleared long-delayed trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.

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On the sidelines of the presidential visit, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-kyung signed bilateral agreements to strengthen cooperation in clean energy technology research and development.

"By working together toward our shared clean energy goals, we can promote the kind of innovation that will help win the clean energy race and create jobs in both of our nations," Chu said in a statement.

The agreement includes everything from research into smart-grid technology to green transportation and renewable energy initiatives.

Russian energy company Gazprom has lobbied both Korean governments to build a natural gas pipeline through the peninsula.

"The agreement will enable the United States and the Republic of Korea to expand our already strong bilateral cooperation on clean energy," Chu said.

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