Democracy must be at the heart of South Korea’s new climate ambitions
by Jiyun Gim | Green Environment Youth Korea
As South Korea embarks on a new chapter under President Lee Jae-myung, it’s not just democracy that needs to be revived. Emerging from a dark period of political turmoil, we need to fire up the embers of another crucial pillar of society: climate action.
In South Korea, climate disasters are no longer a distant threat but a daily reality. Deadly wildfires that raged earlier this year were twice more likely due to climate change. Food prices have skyrocketed due to poor harvests induced by extreme weather. In addressing climate change, it’s not just Korea’s political and economic future at stake–it’s our very survival.
Unfortunately, the past administration had a notable lack of interest in addressing climate issues. While worsening climate impacts have prompted the government to begin developing early warning and adaptation systems, Korea remains a laggard in the just energy transition. Among the world’s advanced economies, it is near the bottom in renewable energy adoption.
South Korea is phasing out coal much slower compared to other G20 countries. The government-owned Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), which exercises monopoly over the national grid, continues to generate the majority of its revenue from coal-fired power plants. This has systematically hindered the expansion of renewable energy, which makes up just around 10 percent of the energy mix.
A just energy transition is not just about delivering clean energy.
It’s about harnessing the power of renewables to make electricity affordable to all, uplift livelihoods, and protect generations from the worst impacts of climate change.
The Lee administration is the first to promise to accelerate what has long been overdue–bold government action that is needed to phase out fossil fuels and scale up clean energy. The Democratic Party has pledged to phase out coal by 2040, and increase the share of renewables in the energy mix. It has promised to support RE100–a pledge by corporations to utilize 100% renewable energy, which major Korean companies are part of. The Lee administration also plans to establish a Ministry of Climate and Energy to expand government support for low-carbon technologies and reduce barriers to solar and wind energy expansion.
These promising measures can serve to strengthen the competitiveness of the country’s export-driven industries by helping them meet global standards. But more importantly, the administration’s willingness to model industrialization through decarbonization opens up new possibilities–not just for industry, but for communities who stand to benefit most from a clean energy shift.
After all, the energy of the sun and the wind belongs to everyone. A just energy transition is not just about delivering clean energy. It’s about harnessing the power of renewables to make electricity affordable to all, uplift livelihoods, and protect generations from the worst impacts of climate change.
In a one-of-a-kind gathering led by 350.org earlier this year, I learned about how communities around the world are using renewable energy to uplift their lives. These models of community-led renewable energy resonate with local communities that I visit. Communities face unique challenges and opportunities in the transition process, but one thing is certain–they want democratic ownership of clean energy.
As a member of the Climate Future Forum, I’m participating in the ongoing revision of Korea’s climate action plan or Nationally Determined Contribution, pushing for the establishment of a long-term emissions reduction pathway. I find it deeply concerning that the dominant narrative continues to focus on outdated arguments claiming that ambitious targets would undermine industrial competitiveness. The discussion should be centered on how to meet existing targets and raising, not lowering, climate ambition.
The crucial COP30 UN climate change conference will take place in Brazil later this year. With the new administration, I hope to see a fresh and responsible momentum in discussions on South Korea’s NDC. I hope this momentum leads to ambitious and actionable climate goals–so that the country can finally cast off its cloak of inaction and shine as a climate leader.
To do that, the government must not get sidetracked by unproven technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), carbon offsetting, and other false solutions. Rather, it must ground net-zero efforts in realistic, currently available solutions such as the equitable expansion of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and structural reform in high-emitting sectors. Finally, it must be transparent and democratic so that South Korea can meet its climate commitments–and the people’s needs–with integrity and urgency.
Young Koreans should remember that they are not only integral in ensuring a healthy democracy. With other citizens of the world, we are also part of a larger fight for climate justice. This past election, we have proven that we are capable of influencing our political future–it’s now time to ensure that this future is powered by the sun, the wind, and the people.
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Jiyun Gim is a passionate climate advocate and youth leader based in South Korea, with extensive experience in climate policy for a sustainable, just and equitable energy transition. As a representative of Green Environment Youth Korea, she works to empower young people and local communities through education, research, and advocacy. Along with 200+ activists, she attended 350.org’s Renew Our Power gathering earlier this year in Brazil.