Lawmakers Urge "KEPCO to Withdraw Decision on Investment in Vietnam's Vung Ang 2 Coal Power Plant"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Some members of the Democratic Party of Korea criticized Korea Electric Power Corporation's (KEPCO) decision on the 5th to proceed with the investment in the Vietnam Vung Ang 2 coal power plant project as planned, calling it "a self-proclamation as a climate villain."

Democratic Party lawmakers Lee So-young and Yang Yi-won-young stated at a National Assembly press conference that day, "KEPCO's investment in the Vung Ang 2 coal power project is not only environmentally harmful but also an economically foolish decision," and added, "KEPCO's decision must be immediately withdrawn."

They pointed out, "So far, the government has been promoting a coal phase-out policy domestically and has pledged to accelerate the transition to an eco-friendly economy through the Green New Deal, but building a 'anti-green' coal power plant overseas is contradictory."

They claimed, "The Vung Ang 2 power plant in Vietnam will emit over 200 million tons of greenhouse gases over 30 years, which is more than 16 times the 12.29 million tons that our government announced it would reduce by 2025 through the Green New Deal."

They said, "Our country is being evaluated as a climate villain globally, and today's KEPCO decision proves this by itself," adding, "Investment in coal power deepens the climate crisis and may lead to boycott movements against Korean corporate products and a decrease in investments."

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