Lee to Advance Coal Phase-Out by 10 Years
Kim Dongyeon: "Building a Renewable Energy Belt"
Kim Kyungsoo Visits Honam to Announce Regional Pledges
Lee Jae Myung, former leader of the Democratic Party and a preliminary candidate for the presidential election, stated on the 22nd, "We will shut down coal-fired power plants by 2040 and dramatically reduce fine dust by expanding the adoption of electric vehicles."
On this day, Lee released his climate and environmental policy statement on social media, saying, "We will also swiftly revise the reduction roadmap beyond 2035." The pledge to phase out coal by 2040 moves up the originally planned closure date by 10 years from 2050.
On April 18, at the Sangam MBC Studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul, candidates Lee Jae Myung (from the right), Kim Kyung Soo, and Kim Dong Yeon are taking a commemorative photo during the first TV debate of the 21st presidential candidate Democratic Party primary. 2025.4.18 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Lee noted, "In the 'Climate Change Performance Index (CCP)' released last November by the global non-profit Climate Action Network (CAT), South Korea ranked 63rd out of 67 countries," and added, "We will provide clear incentives for public participation in carbon reduction efforts." He also pledged, "By hosting the 33rd Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP33) in 2028, we will establish a 'K-Initiative' that sets a global example in the environmental sector."
He also proposed measures to make South Korea a leading nation in phasing out plastics. Lee stated, "We will support infrastructure for circular economy hubs voluntarily created by the public, such as 'Almaeng Store,' which sells only the essentials to reduce waste."
Lee unveiled a healthcare reform roadmap centered on strengthening public healthcare. He said, "We will establish a public medical school to train public, essential, and regional healthcare professionals, and expand public hospitals equipped with next-generation public healthcare systems based on digital infrastructure."
On the 18th, at the Sangam MBC Studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul, candidate Lee Jae-myung is preparing for the first TV debate among the 21st presidential candidates in the Democratic Party primary. 2025.4.18 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Regarding the rationalization of medical school admissions quotas, he said, "We must restart with social consensus involving all stakeholders," and added, "We also need to consider changes brought about by the development of AI and advanced science and technology." For the establishment of an integrated care system, he stated, "Based on the 'Integrated Care Support Act' to be implemented next year, we will complete a sustainable community health and care system."
Meanwhile, other Democratic Party presidential hopefuls, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dongyeon and former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Kyungsoo, also announced their respective policy pledges. On this day, Governor Kim Dongyeon unveiled policies including: raising 400 trillion won to create a West Coast RE (Renewable Energy) 100 Line and establish a new renewable energy belt; enshrining the spirit of the 5·18 Democratic Movement in the Constitution; and establishing a national medical school in South Jeolla Province. He stated, "Honam is a sacred ground for democracy and human rights. I, Kim Dongyeon, am the only one who can revitalize the Honam economy, which has been frozen by the uprising."
Governor Kim Dongyeon explained, "We will build an 'RE100' line and a West Coast renewable energy belt, linking the Honam and Seoul metropolitan areas to advanced industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, and transition key industries such as steel, semiconductors, and automobiles to low-carbon models." He also pledged to amend the Constitution to include the spirit of the 5·18 Democratic Movement in its preamble and to change the historical designation of 5·18 to the '5·18 Gwangju People's Uprising.'
Kim Dongyeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province and a presidential candidate in the Democratic Party primary, is speaking at the pledge ceremony for fair elections held at the National Assembly on April 16, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Former Governor Kim Kyungsoo also plans to visit the Honam region today to announce regional pledges. He will visit the Democratic Party's North Jeolla Provincial Office in Jeonju for a meeting with local party members, followed by visits to Yangdong Market and the party's Gwangju office.
With the Honam regional vote and the upcoming tour primaries emerging as a watershed in the party's nomination race, former Governor Kim Kyungsoo is making efforts to win party members' support. He said, "I will do my best to achieve good results in the Honam and Seoul metropolitan area primaries."
Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyungsoo, a presidential candidate in the Democratic Party primary, is speaking at the pledge ceremony for fair elections held at the National Assembly on April 16, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
