[Manbo Jeongdam] Kim Sang-hyeop, Chairman of the Nuclear Green Committee, "Urgent Re-proposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste Act... AI is the Key to Power Efficiency"

If High-Level Radioactive Waste Law Fails, Nuclear Power Will Virtually Halt
Offshore Wind Power Special Act Must Also Pass to Accelerate Energy Transition
Energy Policy Should Move Beyond Populism and Politicization Debates
Domestic Renewable Energy Supply Meets RE100 Power Demand
Efforts to Lower Purchase Costs... Need to Actively Utilize Carbon-Free Sources
AI and Data Center Power Surge, but Benefits Also Exist

Kim Sang-hyeop, Co-Chairman of the Private Sector of the Carbon Neutrality Green Growth Committee, is walking along the forest path at the National Institute of Forest Science in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, and giving an interview to Asia Economy. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

Kim Sang-hyup, co-chairman of the Presidential 2050 Carbon Neutral Green Growth Committee (CNGGC), is known for his trademark 'green.' At major events, he always wears blue jackets, shirts, or bow ties. Now, if he appears in a different color, people around him ask why he is not wearing blue today.

When we met for an interview at Hongneung Forest in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 28th of last month, Chairman Kim was wearing a blue shirt. He said, "I started wearing blue clothes at major events to emphasize green growth, and now it has become my identity."

Since August 2022, shortly after the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, Kim has served as co-chairman of the CNGGC alongside Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. He stands at the center of the current government's carbon neutrality policy. He represents Korea at climate and energy-related events both domestically and abroad. This year, he has been busy preparing for the 29th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) scheduled for November and working on establishing the 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which must be newly submitted by next year.

Chairman Kim stated that in the Korean context, achieving carbon neutrality requires not neglecting any of nuclear power, renewable energy, hydrogen energy, or carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). Regarding renewable energy, he emphasized the need to pursue a balanced policy between deployment and industrial supply. He also expressed his conviction that there is a need to establish an independent body to determine energy prices such as electricity rates or a public institution like an offshore wind power corporation.

He also expressed expectations that artificial intelligence (AI), while consuming large amounts of energy, could become a key area to improve energy efficiency. Kim said, "Populism and politicization in energy policy are fatal," urging the 22nd National Assembly to handle various energy-related bills in a bipartisan manner.

- What is your connection with Hongneung Forest?

▲ After resigning as the Green Growth Planning Officer under the Lee Myung-bak administration, I frequently visited this place in 2013 while serving as an invited professor at the Green Growth Graduate School of the KAIST College of Business. Forest management holds very important significance for the CNGGC. Forests are a representative carbon sink, accounting for more than 10% of the total reduction target. Although various technologies such as direct air capture (DAC) of carbon are being developed to reduce carbon, forests are a nature-based solution. Hongneung Forest is also home to the National Institute of Forest Science (formerly the Forestry Research Institute), which has been central to Korea's greening projects. It is said that this area was personally selected by former President Park Chung-hee, who used helicopters to establish the research complex. Korea is recognized overseas as a country that has successfully led greening industries, but there is still room for further effort. For example, it is necessary to expand the planting of 'elite trees,' which have a 30-40% higher carbon absorption rate than ordinary trees.

- What are the achievements of the CNGGC so far, and what areas need improvement?

▲ In April, the CNGGC conducted a comprehensive review of the 2023 implementation status of the National Carbon Neutral Green Growth Basic Plan, involving experts, civil society, and future generations. As a result, I can say that the CNGGC has worked to establish the foundation and secure momentum for transitioning to a carbon-neutral society across all economic and social sectors. Greenhouse gas emissions from the energy transition and industrial sectors decreased by 24.1% and 6.2%, respectively, compared to 2018. Additionally, a plan to expand green business investment to 420 trillion won by 2030 was prepared. However, some tasks were delayed or had their original goals changed and need to be supplemented. Representative examples include support for carbon-neutral reduction facilities for small and medium-sized enterprises, regulations on disposable products, and support for green remodeling of buildings. We will accelerate these tasks through inter-ministerial cooperation.

- There are criticisms that with the current government emphasizing nuclear power, renewable energy policies such as solar and wind power are relatively retreating.

▲ Expanding renewable energy is essential for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. However, the focus should be on orderly and systematic expansion rather than simple expansion. In the past, focusing only on deployment led to increased dependence on foreign equipment and environmental damage. It is important to pursue balanced policies between deployment and industrial supply for renewable energy. As a member of the international community, our government has joined the 'Renewable Energy and Efficiency Initiative,' which aims to triple renewable energy generation capacity by 2030. I believe this goal can be achieved as planned.

- What measures are needed to expand renewable energy?

▲ We need to establish an ecosystem for offshore wind and solar industries and reform the electricity market. Regarding offshore wind, it is necessary to expand deployment under government leadership to secure environmental and local acceptance and strengthen the competitiveness of related supply chains. For solar power, various methods such as industrial complexes, agrivoltaics, and building solar power should be promoted, and new facilities should be encouraged to enter areas with spare power grid capacity. Improving the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) system and activating Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) will enhance the efficiency of the electricity market.

Kim Sang-hyeop, Co-Chairman of the Private Sector of the Carbon Neutrality Green Growth Committee, is sitting in the forest of the National Institute of Forest Science in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, and giving an interview to Asia Economy. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

- What bills should the 22nd National Assembly urgently address?

▲ The harmony between nuclear power and renewable energy is an important strategic foundation for carbon neutrality. The High-Level Radioactive Waste Special Act (High-Level Waste Act) and the Offshore Wind Power Special Act, which were automatically discarded in the 21st National Assembly, must be urgently addressed in the 22nd National Assembly. If the High-Level Waste Act is not passed, the capacity of temporary storage facilities for nuclear waste will sequentially reach saturation after 2030, effectively forcing the suspension of nuclear power operations. If the Offshore Wind Power Special Act is passed, it will accelerate the energy transition by actively utilizing the sea, which is part of the territorial waters, beyond the limitations of land. Personally, I think there is a need to establish an Offshore Wind Power Corporation to oversee offshore wind power operations. Populism and politicization in energy policy are fatal. Internationally, as long as the direction of carbon neutrality is aligned, countries respect the energy mix according to their circumstances. In the 22nd National Assembly, Korea should move beyond the debate of nuclear power versus renewable energy and engage in practical discussions on building power grid infrastructure, realizing energy prices, and expanding energy storage systems (ESS) for carbon neutrality.

- International pressure on Korean companies regarding RE100 is increasing.

▲ Currently, the domestic renewable energy supply is sufficient to meet the electricity demand of companies participating in RE100. As of 2023, renewable energy generation is 49.4 TWh (terawatt-hours), exceeding the RE100 renewable energy demand of 10.1 TWh. If renewable energy expands as planned by the government, the supply for Korean companies' RE100 commitments is expected to be sufficient. However, it is true that renewable energy purchase costs are higher domestically compared to overseas, posing cost challenges. The government is working to reduce renewable energy purchase costs through stabilizing Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) prices, expanding grid usage fee support, and activating PPAs. The green premium system is also being improved. From a long-term perspective, Korea faces disadvantages in expanding renewable energy and power grid issues. To supply energy stably and economically and achieve carbon neutrality domestically, it is necessary to actively utilize all zero-carbon energies, including renewable energy, nuclear power, hydrogen, and CCUS.

- What is the international community's response to the government's leadership on Carbon-Free Energy (CFE)?

▲ Our government is striving to spread international consensus on CFE, which is complementary to and inclusive of the widely cited RE100 internationally. Efforts are underway to establish a globally accepted CFE certification system and to garner support from major countries. Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and France have already expressed support. Japan and China are also reportedly positive.

- What agenda will be addressed at COP29 this year?

▲ According to the Paris Agreement, parties must submit their NDCs for 2035 by February 2025, and discussions related to this are expected to be active. Parties are likely to demand more advanced and ambitious NDCs than before. Additionally, countries must submit the newly introduced Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR) by the end of this year, which will also be discussed. Financing for climate support to developing countries will emerge as a key agenda. Requests for contributions to loss and damage funds and adaptation funds are also expected. Our government is currently not participating in the loss and damage fund but relevant ministries are reviewing it.

- What is an appropriate level for Korea's 2035 NDC?

▲ The 2035 NDC should be strengthened compared to the 2030 NDC (40% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to 2018) based on the principle of progression. Opinions vary on the appropriate percentage. I understand that relevant ministries have formed an expert technical working group since March to begin setting greenhouse gas reduction targets. The CNGGC plans to actively gather and deliberate diverse opinions from academia, industry, and civil society rather than passively accepting government figures, to establish a refined and meticulous reduction target.

- Are there any climate techs that domestic companies should pay attention to?

▲ Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and ultra-high-efficiency solar technologies are areas where we should lead. AI is also emerging as a core technological solution. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has declared an AI initiative, recognizing AI's outstanding capabilities in climate prediction, transportation and energy system management, and discovering low-carbon materials. Boston Consulting Group predicts AI will appear in all areas of climate response and is investing $1 billion in internal talent development. Although AI significantly increases data center power demand, it can become a new battleground to maximize power efficiency.

- What are your impressions after attending the recent International Energy Agency (IEA) high-level meeting and the World Hydrogen Summit?

▲ As a member of the IEA's '2nd People-Centered Clean Energy Transition Global Commission,' I attended the 'People-Centered Clean Energy Transition High-Level Meeting' held in Paris. It was a forum to discuss labor market and employment changes during the energy transition and to establish inclusive energy transition standards. At the World Hydrogen Summit, I observed that many countries overseas are investing heavily in hydrogen as planned. The case of the Netherlands was particularly impressive. The Netherlands, with about half the population of Korea, is investing $20 billion to build a hydrogen ecosystem. Regardless of regime changes, they have been steadily advancing their long-term plan since 2019. When I explained Korea's hydrogen policy at the summit, many expressed surprise at Korea's proactive approach. While Korea has focused on the transportation sector so far, it needs to expand investment into power generation sectors such as hydrogen co-firing and industrial sectors like hydrogen-based steelmaking. By the 2040s, hydrogen could become one of the three major energy sources alongside nuclear power and renewable energy.

◆ Kim Sang-hyup, Co-chairman of the Carbon Neutral Green Growth Committee...

▲ Born in 1963 ▲ Bachelor's degree in Diplomacy, Seoul National University ▲ Master's degree in Diplomacy, Seoul National University ▲ Completed doctoral coursework in Diplomacy, Graduate School, Seoul National University ▲ Green Growth Planning Officer, Presidential Office ▲ Invited Professor, Green Growth Graduate School, KAIST College of Business ▲ CEO of Our Future ▲ 11th Director of Jeju Research Institute ▲ Sustainability Advisor (Vice President), KAIST Green Growth ▲ Co-chairman, Presidential 2050 Carbon Neutral Green Growth Committee