Im I-ja: "Decarbonization More Urgent Than Nuclear Phase-Out... Energy Policy Must Shift"

Im I-ja, member of the People Power Party (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] On the eve of Earth Day, Im Ija, a member of the People Power Party, urged the government to shift its energy policy. She believes that although the government has already declared '2050 Net Zero,' the current policies are insufficient to achieve this goal.

On the 21st, through a parliamentary question session, Rep. Im stated, "When the Moon Jae-in administration announced the nuclear phase-out roadmap, they effectively canceled new nuclear power plants, but they made a promise they could not keep," adding, "Isn't it time to change the energy policy before it's too late?"

In response, Hong Nam-ki, Acting Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, explained, "Although it is a government agenda, considering various aspects, renewable energy is necessary for the nation's atmosphere, so the transition to renewable energy must be achieved in the long term."

Net zero refers to a situation where the total greenhouse gas emissions and removals balance out to a net emission of '0.' It can also be expressed as 'carbon neutrality' or 'carbon zero.' President Moon Jae-in declared last October that the goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Rep. Im also criticized the ongoing construction of seven coal-fired power plants, saying, "Seven plants are under construction, but they are being left as is," and pointed out, "The president was elected on promises of eco-friendly alternative energy, but environmental groups are very angry that the construction of seven coal-fired power plants is continuing without suspension."

In response, Rep. Im proposed five key new climate energy policies: rapid coal phase-out, harmony between renewable energy and smart nuclear power, establishment of a high-level climate energy cooperation body among Korea, the U.S., China, and Japan, creation of a presidential carbon neutrality and green growth committee, and ensuring participation of the 2030 future generation in climate energy policy.

Rep. Im said, "Decarbonization is more urgent than nuclear phase-out. Europe and the U.S. have said they will achieve decarbonization by at least 2030 to 2035," adding, "I am worried that carbon border taxes will be discussed tomorrow. Once such discussions begin, there will be various difficulties in industrial competitiveness." President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to attend the climate summit held via video conference on the 22nd.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.