Yoon Administration's 'Crackdown on Solar Energy' Pushes Industry to Brink of Collapse

Sanctions Imposed on 32 Companies, Including Bid Participation Restrictions
Jinwook Jung: "The MSS Must Revise Direct Production Standards"

Jinwook Jung, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Jinwook Jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangju Dongnam-gap, urged for a prompt revision of the direct production standards during a parliamentary audit of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) held at the National Assembly on October 14. He stated, "The previous administration's 'crackdown on solar energy' policy has pushed solar power equipment procurement companies to the brink of collapse," emphasizing the urgent need for regulatory change.

Jung pointed out that after the Public Procurement Service conducted a comprehensive survey of solar companies in May 2023, the MSS imposed at least three to four overlapping punitive administrative measures, such as bid participation restrictions, on 32 companies. He criticized, "During the previous administration, former Public Procurement Service Commissioner Lee (now a National Assembly member of the People Power Party) devastated the solar industry and then immediately stepped down. This can only be seen as a deliberate crackdown on eco-friendly renewable energy by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration."

He further assessed that "the current definition of 'direct production' for solar power equipment is outdated," and argued, "The relevant regulations should be revised not for the purpose of regulation or punishment, but to address the grievances of small and medium-sized enterprises."

Jung also criticized, "It is problematic that the Ministry of SMEs and Startups has neglected this issue for the past two years under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. When the new government took office, I expected relevant measures to be introduced, but the ministry continues to ignore the urgent concerns of the solar power equipment industry and remains inactive."

In response, Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook stated, "I have been informed that a revision bill reflecting the points and intent you raised is being prepared," and added, "We will communicate sufficiently with your office and examine the relevant matters thoroughly."

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