"Energy Crisis, Measures Needed from a Security Perspective"

Energy Security and Environment Association Holds 'Energy Security Crisis' Seminar
"Urgent Passage of Special Resource Security Act Needed for Crisis Response" Advocated

The Energy Security and Environment Association (President Lee Woong-hyuk) announced on the 28th that it held a policy seminar titled "Energy Security Crisis, How to Respond" to find solutions to the energy security crisis.

Hosted by Han Jae-wook, representative of the National Environmental Organizations Council, the seminar held at the Seoul Press Center was attended by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, National Assembly members Han Mu-kyung and Yang Geum-hee, Uljin County Governor Son Byung-bok, former National Assembly member Yoon Hee-sook, Lee Young-soo, chairman of the Preparation Committee for a New Future, and Jang Young-chul, standing chairman of the National Environmental Organizations Council, among others.

In his congratulatory speech, Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, "In this era of energy security crisis, Seoul City will strive to promote balanced distribution of new renewable energy suitable for urban areas and building energy efficiency projects by expanding the supply of fuel cells using renewable energy and hydrogen energy."

In the keynote presentations, President Lee Woong-hyuk (professor at Konkuk University) served as the chair, with presentations by Dr. Shim Sang-min of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, Dr. Park Sang-duk of Seoul National University Nuclear Policy Center, and Dr. Noh Dong-seok, a dispute mediation committee member of the Korea Power Exchange. Designated discussions were conducted by Jang Se-jung, editorial writer of JoongAng Ilbo, Professor Park Ho-jung of Korea University’s Department of Resource Economics, and Kim Jae-eun, director of the Resource Security Policy Division at the Ministry of Industry and Resources.

The Energy Security and Environment Association, a corporation comprising experts in energy, security, and environment, held an energy policy seminar on the 28th at Maehwa Hall on the 19th floor of the Seoul Press Center under the theme "Energy Security Crisis, How Should We Respond?" Photo by Energy Security and Environment Association

Dr. Shim Sang-min, in his presentation titled "Security Consensus on Resource Supply Chain Safety," stated, "Due to the instability of globalization and geopolitical conflicts, countries around the world are currently focusing intensely on securing supply chain stability from a security perspective," adding, "Our country also needs to prepare measures such as stabilizing and diversifying the supply chain of critical minerals from a security standpoint, reducing and recycling the use of critical minerals, and domesticating key materials and components."

Dr. Park Sang-duk said, "The concept of energy security means supplying energy based on cleanliness at an appropriate price where needed," diagnosing that "the current situation in our country is quite vulnerable, as shown by the huge deficits of KEPCO and the Korea Gas Corporation."

Photo by Energy Security and Environment Association

Dr. Noh Dong-seok, in his presentation titled "The 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand from the Perspective of Resource Security," pointed out, "The 10th Basic Plan aims to achieve national carbon emission reduction goals by expanding nuclear power and renewable energy, but the energy mix centered on intermittent renewable energy and inflexible nuclear power presents an inherent conflict that complicates and makes the operation of the power system difficult."

Yoon Seok-ho, secretary general of the Energy Security and Environment Association and CEO of Next Energy Corporation, who sponsored the event along with President Lee Woong-hyuk, emphasized, "Energy security policy is a concept that considers competition between countries and must include social and environmental acceptability as well as economic acceptability, not just simple stockpiling," adding, "For this, the passage of a special resource security law for effective crisis response in both peacetime and emergencies is urgent."

The Energy Security and Environment Association, founded last December with over 100 experts and civic activists gathered, plans to continuously communicate with related government departments, the National Assembly, civil society, academia, and international organizations to lead crisis preparedness and response regarding energy security for achieving carbon neutrality and sustainable national economic development, while promoting common interests in the resource industry and resource security.