Han Jeong-ae: "Green Taxonomy Includes Nuclear Power... Successor Government Must Consider Carefully"

"Appropriate to Set 40% NDC Target by 2030"

Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae is having a tea time with reporters for the last time before her retirement on the 3rd at the Seoul Hangang Flood Control Office, answering reporters' questions. (Photo by Joint Press Corps)

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae stated on the 3rd, "I do not agree that all nuclear power plants are included in the green taxonomy," adding, "The succeeding government needs to carefully consider various issues."

Minister Han made these remarks during a final tea time with retiring journalists at the Seoul Hangang Flood Control Office in the afternoon.

She added, "Saying that all nuclear power plants will be included in the taxonomy without mentioning the European Union (EU)'s taxonomy goals implies no difference with the EU."

Minister Han also said, "Setting the national greenhouse gas reduction target (NDC) at 40% by 2030 was an appropriate figure."

She emphasized, "It is a challenging goal, but among developed countries, there is no country that has not set a challenging target. We must be able to tell future generations that we set a challenging goal and continuously worked towards it."

Han Hwajin, the nominee for Minister of Environment, who was appointed as her successor, pointed out at the confirmation hearing the day before that the plan to expand the share of renewable energy generation to 30% "requires consideration of how realistically feasible it is."

She explained, "I believe the public will understand the plan to reinforce the utilization of nuclear power as a supplementary measure until the share of renewable energy generation increases."

Regarding compensation for victims of humidifier disinfectants, Minister Han stressed that the state must take the lead to ensure that adjustments through social organizations are successfully made.

Minister Han said, "It seems to be an issue that requires strengthening government responsibility and legislative arrangements concerning finality."

Earlier, the mediation committee proposed a final adjustment plan for compensation for humidifier disinfectant victims, but Oxy Reckitt Benckiser and Aekyung Industrial, which must bear the largest costs, did not accept it. Oxy and Aekyung Industrial demanded a readjustment of the burden-sharing criteria and a guarantee of 'finality' that compensation would be completely concluded with this adjustment.

She expressed regret about some environmental policies presented by the Presidential Transition Committee.

Minister Han said regarding the committee's reconsideration of the use of twine and tape at autonomous packaging stations in large supermarkets, "It seems unnecessary in a situation that has been well established for over a year."