Ruling Party and Government, "Carbon Neutrality is an Unavoidable National Survival Strategy"... '2050 Carbon Neutrality' Ruling Party-Government Meeting

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Party of Korea, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of Environment held a party-government consultation on the 7th to discuss concrete implementation plans for the long-term low-carbon development strategy (LEDs) aimed at ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality’.

During the meeting held at the National Assembly in the morning, the party and government discussed measures including ▲decarbonization of the economic structure ▲creation of a low-carbon industrial ecosystem ▲and raising public awareness for a carbon-neutral society.

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a opening remark at the '2050 Carbon Neutrality Implementation Party-Government Council' held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea who attended the meeting, stated, “Carbon neutrality is a national survival strategy that cannot be chosen or avoided,” adding, “Carbon neutrality is a major transformation task that involves not only the formation of a global new economic order and market creation but also fundamental changes in the economic and industrial structure.”

Floor leader Kim urged to accelerate efforts, saying, “If we fail to properly respond to carbon neutrality, we may become a third-rate country due to export restrictions on key industries and exclusion from the global market.”

Han Jeong-ae, chairperson of the Democratic Party’s Policy Committee, said, “Through today’s party-government consultation, we plan to discuss low-carbon strategies across the entire economy and ways to foster promising new industries,” adding, “We will also focus on reviewing a concrete roadmap to accelerate energy transition centered on industry, economy, and renewable energy.”

Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, emphasized, “We will also implement protective policies such as industry transition and employment support to ensure that no social class or industry is left behind during the transition to a carbon-neutral society.”

Seong Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated, “We will actively communicate with the industry and establish support systems so that the industry recognizes carbon neutrality as a new growth strategy and voluntarily participates.”

Cho Myung-rae, Minister of Environment, said, “Despite numerous oppositions while preparing the LEDs, the Ministry of Environment has strived to make 2050 carbon neutrality a new value and milestone,” adding, “Starting next year, we will prepare a ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenario’ to present a clear direction for the strategy to be promoted jointly by the entire government.”