[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters (Jeju) Reporter Park Chang-won] Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, proposed the "Clean Korea Climate Energy Policy for a Sustainable Future" to the People Power Party’s floor leadership on the 15th.
Governor Won also attracted attention by presenting a policy direction where the 2030 future generation becomes the center of policy decision-making.
At the Climate Change Policy Council held at the National Assembly that day, attendees included Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, Lee Jong-bae, chairman of the Policy Committee, Im Eui-ja (Environment and Labor Committee whip), Bae Jun-young (party spokesperson), and Kim Sang-hyup, director of the Jeju Research Institute.
Floor leader Joo Ho-young introduced, “For over ten years, Governor Won Hee-ryong of Jeju has led climate response policies and has guided Jeju to become a city representing clean energy and eco-friendly electric vehicles in Korea.”
He added, “Based on past experience and research, we aim to share insights on the climate energy policy direction that Korea should pursue,” explaining the purpose of the meeting.
Governor Won mentioned, “At the party’s request, I am here to share my views on what kind of climate energy policy the People Power Party should implement in response to the changed international situation and Korea’s future.”
He referred to U.S. President Biden’s designation of climate change as America’s top national agenda, explaining, “On Earth Day, April 22, a strong climate energy policy including the phase-out of coal power will be announced, strongly urging international community participation.”
He pointed out that although Korea has declared carbon neutrality by 2050, greenhouse gas reductions have not been properly achieved by international standards.
He also criticized the current government’s excessive nuclear phase-out policy, issues in renewable energy power management, the increase in coal power plants, and overseas nuclear power exports.
He then presented five major policy directions for climate energy.
Governor Won explained, “Prioritizing coal phase-out in climate energy policy and seeking public judgment is necessary. The world is moving toward coal phase-out, and Korea should follow this path with a rational and scientific attitude.”
He added, “A social consensus process is also needed before implementing new low-carbon climate energy policies.”
He continued, “We must promote harmonious development of renewable energy and future-type nuclear power,” emphasizing, “Renewable energy should be expanded as low-carbon energy, and Korea should take a leading role in developing innovative future-type nuclear power.”
Governor Won proposed, “We should establish a Korea-U.S.-China-Japan climate energy environmental consultative body at the national leader level to jointly solve Korea’s challenges.”
In particular, he explained, “Based on trust with the U.S., forming a four-country consultative body can create good opportunities for reducing greenhouse gases, clean energy, mobility, as well as future industries and job creation.”
Governor Won criticized the current government for not recognizing the previous administration’s achievements in green growth, stating, “Restoring and strengthening the low-carbon green growth national governance to establish a bipartisan sustainable development system is necessary.” He urged the restoration and reinforcement of the presidential-level low-carbon green growth national governance.
He emphasized, “Climate change is worsening, and there are forecasts that the Earth will become uninhabitable. Since the primary direct victims of climate change are not the older generation but the younger generation, real decision-making power should also be given to the 2030 generation.”
Im Eui-ja also expressed agreement with Governor Won’s policy suggestions, stating, “The People Power Party is the originator of green growth, and we will continue to implement policies that approach the people more and improve quality of life.” She conveyed the party’s intention to maintain continuous cooperation at the party level, including establishing related special committees, and to incorporate the policies proposed by Governor Won into the party’s policies.
Governor Won also said, “I hope the party will pay attention as Earth Day approaches,” and added, “I hope a discussion framework such as a roundtable where the 2030 generation is at the center of decision-making will be established, not just a one-time event.”
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