President Lee Jae-myung on NDC Controversy: "An Unavoidable Path, Avoidance Will Lead to a Greater Crisis"

by Song Seungseop

Published 11 Nov.2025 10:50(KST)

Updated 11 Nov.2025 10:53(KST)

President Lee Jae-myung emphasized on the 11th that the controversy over the "2035 National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target (2035 NDC)" is "an unavoidable path."

Presiding over the Cabinet meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office on this day, President Lee stated, "There has been some controversy recently regarding the NDC," and made these remarks.

President Lee Jae-myung is presiding over the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee pointed out, "The transition to a carbon-neutral society is truly an unavoidable path that we must take for sustainable growth and to become a leading global economic power, even if it involves some pain," adding, "Avoiding what must be done will only lead to a greater crisis."

He continued, "Taking into account our practical circumstances and the burden on the public, we need the practical wisdom to find a balance between our goals and the means to achieve them. I ask the government to carefully consider the various difficulties that citizens and businesses may face during the transition to renewable energy and the greenhouse gas reduction process."

President Lee Jae-myung is presiding over the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee's remarks came ahead of the deliberation and decision on the 2035 NDC. Previously, the Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth (the Carbon Neutrality Commission) decided on a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 53-61% by 2035, compared to 2018 levels. Initially, the government had proposed two options for the reduction target: "50-60%" and "53-60%." However, after a high-level ruling party-government consultation on November 9, both the lower and upper limits were raised. As a result, the business community, which had suggested 48% as the lower limit, is strongly protesting, calling it "a decision that ignores reality."