Institutional Consensus Reached for the Establishment of RE100 Industrial Complexes
Won Kim, Member of the National Assembly.
Kim Won Lee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and secretary of the National Assembly’s Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee (representing Mokpo), welcomed the fact that the restructuring of the petrochemical and steel industries, as well as the promotion of the Special Act on Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities, were key agenda items discussed at the 5th High-Level Party-Government Policy Meeting held on December 21.
At the meeting, party and government officials reviewed the current status of the petrochemical and steel industry restructuring initiatives and focused on discussing support measures to minimize the potential impact on local economies and employment that may inevitably arise during the industrial transition process.
In the petrochemical sector, following the government’s “Petrochemical Industry Renewal Strategy” announced on August 20, companies from the three major industrial complexes-Yeosu, Daesan, and Ulsan-submitted their business restructuring plans on December 19. Once the final plans are approved, tailored support packages reflecting the characteristics of each project will be prepared.
In the steel sector as well, based on the “Steel Industry Advancement Plan” announced on November 4, full-fledged restructuring will proceed, focusing on facility rationalization and the transition to low-carbon, high value-added production.
Notably, the government’s support plans to mitigate shocks during the restructuring process were reaffirmed, including the designation of proactive response areas for industrial and employment crises, and the expansion of dedicated support projects for industrial crisis areas (from 5.2 billion won in 2025 to 24.7 billion won in 2026).
Assemblyman Kim stated, “Restructuring of the petrochemical and steel industries is an unavoidable task of our times. Based on the relevant bills I sponsored and passed in the National Assembly, I will ensure a seamless structure where industrial transition and regional coexistence go hand in hand.” He added, “I will continue parliamentary oversight and support to ensure that local industries and employment in areas like Yeosu and Gwangyang remain stable.”
Additionally, the party and government reviewed the progress of the legislative effort for the Special Act on Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities, aimed at establishing RE100 industrial complexes, and agreed on the need for swift handling. They reaffirmed the importance of the bill as an institutional foundation for achieving both renewable energy transition and balanced regional development, and agreed to begin full-scale development of RE100 industrial complexes once the bill is passed.
Assemblyman Kim remarked, “The Special Act on Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities is also a bill I sponsored, and I expect that, following this party-government discussion, we can accelerate its passage in the plenary session. I will actively support the legislative process in the National Assembly to ensure it proceeds smoothly.”
He further stated, “The restructuring of the petrochemical and steel industries and the establishment of RE100 industrial complexes are central pillars of Jeollanam-do’s industrial transformation. As secretary of the National Assembly’s Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, I will take full responsibility to strengthen Jeonnam’s industrial competitiveness, restore the local economy, and ensure that sustainable energy transition is felt on the ground.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
