Choi Sang-mok: "Efforts Essential to Reduce Korea's Over 90% Energy Import Dependence"

Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, emphasized on the 24th that “our country's energy import dependency exceeds 90%” and that “efforts to secure stable energy supply while reducing import dependency are essential.”

At the inauguration ceremony of the 2nd Carbon Neutral Green Growth Committee held at the Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 24th, Acting Prime Minister Choi stated, “We will enhance carbon competitiveness by securing energy security alongside responding to the climate crisis.” He added, “The government will continue to promote institutional improvements and investments to expand renewable energy,” and explained, “We aim to focus on energy transition by expanding zero-carbon energy, including actively supporting the acquisition of new nuclear power technologies.”

He continued, “We will establish long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets and strategies based on science and rationality,” and said, “It is necessary to establish advanced goals and strategies for greenhouse gas reduction.” He pledged, “We will establish the 2035 national greenhouse gas reduction target, long-term greenhouse gas reduction pathways, and national climate crisis adaptation measures.”

Additionally, Acting Prime Minister Choi mentioned, “To ensure the success of carbon neutrality, we will actively foster climate technology,” and “We will support private companies to create new growth engines through technological innovation.” Regarding small and medium-sized enterprises producing the four major industries with high greenhouse gas emissions and key export items, he stated, “We plan to expand investment in technology development.”

Meanwhile, he explained, “Last summer’s record-breaking heatwaves, heavy rains, and various forms of abnormal climate have led to a decline in quality of life and rising prices, placing a heavy burden on people’s livelihoods,” and added, “With the public’s heightened awareness of the climate crisis and the Constitutional Court ruling last year related to the long-term reduction pathway, the level of public demand for climate crisis response is higher than ever.”