​​As reported by Chosun Biz on the 23rd February, SK E&S appeared to promote hydrogen production based on fossil fuels. The company reportedly plans to build a blue hydrogen production base in Boryeong, and went on to state that the hydrogen industry would have “the effect of revitalizing the real economy", without reference to the need for decarbonizing hydrogen production.

In a 16th February op-ed article in Money Today, the Chairman of H2KOREA, Moon Jae-do, suggested that diverse hydrogen types, including hydrogen produced from fossil fuels, such as gray and blue hydrogen, should be categorized as ‘clean hydrogen’, saying “there should be no way to differentiate and regulate hydrogen according to the production process”.

On January 16th the Maeil Business Newspaper reported that the Vice Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), Jung Man-ki, advocated for converting the allocation of paid emission permits to free emission permits under the Korea Emissions Trading System to “supplement the industrial competitiveness” of Korean exporting companies in response to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of the US and the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

In an op-ed article for the December 2022 Steel Paper of the Korea Iron and Steel Association, Hyundai Steel called for government policies and public support for offshore wind power, stating that offshore wind power would be an ”eco-friendly energy source for our offsprings” and creating jobs“.

At a December 16th ‘Industry and Environmental Policy Forum’ jointly hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and South Korea’s Ministry of Environment, the KCCI successfully advocated for relaxations to the allocation of emissions permits under the Korean Emissions Trading System, including more scope for including overseas allowances and more free allocations for new companies.

The Head of Industry at the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) was quoted by MoneyToday in a November 19th article, announcing that FKI was part of a cohort of organizations asking the South Korean government to include nuclear energy as a ‘carbon-free’ power source so that Korean companies could participate in the ‘Carbon-Free 100’ (CF100) initiative over the Renewable Energy (RE100) initiative.

In a November 7th press release published the day after COP27 started, the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) appeared to advocate for a ‘re-examination’ of South Korea’s more ambitious 2030 NDC emissions reduction target, which was submitted to COP26 in November 2021. FKI referred to the results of a survey it commissioned among the top 500 manufacturing companies of Korea, in which 48% of respondents said that the feasibility of achieving the 2030 NDC would be ‘low’ or ‘very low’, and 82% of respondents advocated that ‘a re-examination is necessary’.

In a November 7th press release, Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) advocated for a ‘realistic energy mix policy’ that increases the proportion of nuclear energy in South Korea’s energy mix, stressing concerns over the possibility of achieving the country’s 2030 coal phase-down target and the renewable energy increase target.

As reported by Newsway on the 3rd of November, the Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Chey Tae-won, appeared to support the energy transition with an increase in renewables and nuclear to achieve net-zero in Korea, without clear statements regarding the pace and extent of this transition and the association’s alignment with IPCC recommendations.

On 11th October, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman, Chey Tae-won, appeared to advocate for more ambitious climate policy in South Korea, referencing the US Inflation Reduction Act and EU climate policies to state that “now is the time to provide policy and institutional support to generate more scientific technology and innovative ideas” in Korea.

In a 25th October Gwangju Dream op-ed article, the Honam Branch Director of KT Corporation, Ryu Pyeong, advocated for a more ambitious Korea Emissions Trading Scheme (K-ETS), arguing “a more stringent signal should be given to corporate customers.”

In an article by E-daily on September 28th, the Future Technology Strategy Team Leader of KEPCO, Kim Young-joo, advocated for co-firing ammonia, hydrogen and coal in power plants, stating that “carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by 20%” and the cost of co-firing will cost “lower than other carbon reduction costs.”

9월 28일 <이데일리> 보도에 따르면, 김영주 한국전력공사 미래기술전략팀장은 암모니아, 수소 그리고 석탄을 발전소에서 혼소하는 것을 옹호하면서, “이산화탄소 배출량이 20% 줄어들고” 혼소 발전의 비용이 “탄소 저감 비용보다는 낮다”고 말했습니다.

In Korea International Trade Association's (KITA) July 19th policy recommendation, containing the opinions of 342 CEOs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), KITA supported quantifying external emissions and GHG emissions reduction target of SMEs to foster a carbon neutral system. The association also supported renewable energy legislation, such as Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and tax incentives, for SMEs to increase their demand on renewables.

At the 27th Automobile Industry Development Forum on the 20th June, the Director of the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) Policy Research Institute did not support South Korea's carbon neutrality policy, citing “a great burden on the automobile industry”, and suggested that the carbon neutrality process should “slow down”. He also stated that it was necessary to “change the regulation-oriented electric vehicle supply policy to an incentive-oriented policy”.

On the 26th May, the Vice President of the Korea Independent Power Producers Association (IPPA), Yoo Yeon-baek, appeared to support a transition of the energy mix with exceptions, citing the specific conditions of securing energy supply stability and “reasonable energy mix” for the transition.

On the 1st of May, the Korea Economic Daily reported that the Korea Independent Power Producers Association (IPPA) sent a policy proposal on coal-fired power plants to South Korea's Commission on Presidential Transition. IPPA argued that the early retirement of older coal-fired power plants could be accomplished in early stages due to the abolition of nuclear phase-out policy; however, the association argues that newer coal plants should continue to operate. The association also insisted that “enough compensation should be provided to private power producers” if the government would close down coal-fired power plants.

On April 5th, The Hankyoreh reported that Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) Chairman Jung Man-ki appeared to oppose the regulation of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle production, instead calling for more incentive-oriented government policies such as investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

​​As reported by E-daily on the 24th of February, the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) called for the tax credit for investment in electric vehicle production facilities in South Korea to be significantly expanded to align with the level of the tax credit rate of the US Inflation Reduction Act.

On the 15th January 2023, SK Inc signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mubadala, a sovereign wealth fund, in order to set up a voluntary carbon reduction market in Asia, with an SK Inc official supporting “an environment where carbon emissions can be freely traded across Asia.”

In his 2023 New Year’s address, released in Energy & Environment News on January 2nd, the Chairman of the Korea New and Renewable Energy Association (KNREA), Lee Koo-young, stated support for a transition to renewable energy, citing that renewable energy would “reduce energy costs while enhancing energy security” in the long run.

As reported by Maeil Business Newspaper on the 14th December, the Korea Iron and Steel Association (KOSA) advocated for South Korea’s cost reduction from the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). KOSA cited the Korea Emission Trading Scheme (K-ETS) as a reason to reduce cost in the EU CBAM, but without supporting increased carbon prices for domestic Korean regulations to match international standards.

As reported by Financial News on the 2nd December, the Korea Iron and Steel Association (KOSA) advocated for South Korea’s exclusion from the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), calling it an “unfair trade barrier”. KOSA cited the Korea Emission Trading Scheme (K-ETS) as a reason to exempt Korea from the scheme, but without supporting increased carbon prices for domestic Korean regulations to match international standards.

In an interview with Business Post on 14th November, Yu Hwan-ik, Director of Industry at the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), called for ‘urgently needed’ government-level support to help Korean industry prepare for EU and US border carbon taxes, including systems to ‘calculate and submit emissions data that meets EU standards’.

As reported by The JoongAng on 13th November, the Chairman of Hyundai Motor, Chung Eui-sun, stated support for ‘strong policy support’ of different countries that would enable corporate investments in new resources and technologies for carbon neutrality at the ‘B20 Summit Indonesia 2022’.

At the November 3rd ‘Industry Conference on the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)’ hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MoTIE), the Korea Iron and Steel Association (KOSA) asked for support from the MoTIE to pay attention to Korean companies, and to ensure they are not discriminated against compared to EU companies under the EU CBAM.

As reported by Seoul Economy Daily on October 25th, the new Chairman of Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA), Kang Nam-hoon, appeared unsupportive of the South Korean government’s carbon neutrality policy, stating the policy put “a burden on the industry’s transition to future cars.”

In a 10th October Mail Business Newspaper op-ed article, the Vice President of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), Jung Man-ki, appeared to support the expansion of green hydrogen in the Korea energy mix, stating “it is inevitable to replace blue hydrogen with green hydrogen in the long term.”

In a 30th August op-ed article of E-Daily, the Chairman of Korea Automobiles Manufactuers Association (KAMA), Jung Man-ki, strongly advocated to abolish the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) policy of South Korea, stating that it is a dual regulation, and it would “encourage electric vehicles imports and consequently disrupt our electric vehicle industry base.”

On 6th July, the Head of POSCO’s Carbon Neutral Strategy Group, Jang Se-hwan, advocated for ‘government-level subsidies and policy support’ to decarbonize the steel sector, including designating investment in carbon-neutral R&D as an official National Project.

On 21st June, the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) advocated for the Korea Emissions Trading Scheme (K-ETS) to adopt the use of international ‘voluntary carbon market’ credits, and suggested that the K-ETS should ‘turn away from the focus on the regulatory carbon market’.

On 12th May at the Hyvolution Exhibition and Forum in Paris, the Chairman of the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA), Jung Man-ki, supported increased ‘policy resource’ input to foster the ‘hydrogen economy’, while stating that hydrogen policies should not lead to the regulation of industry.

On the 26th of April, the CEO of GS Energy, Huh Yong-soo, stated that small modular reactors (SMR) would be “the most effective means of achieving carbon neutrality”. However, the CEO did not specify how the role of nuclear would lead to a full transition towards a zero-emission energy system.

In an industry survey and accompanying press release published on 21st March, the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) called for the incoming South Korean government to provide ‘full support’ for R&D in carbon-neutral technology. KCCI stated that ‘lack of investment funds’ was the primary barrier to emissions reductions for Korean industry.

​​As reported by SEN TV on the 28th of February, Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) appeared to support the Energy Efficiency Resources Standard (EERS), stating that they would continuously “promote the EERS project to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs” in cooperation with the South Korean government.

At the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Seminar on the 13th January 2023, H2KOREA Chairman Moon Jae-do appeared to support US targets and incentives around clean hydrogen production under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

In an op-ed article for Herald Biz on December 29th, the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) called for reform of renewable energy regulations, such as renewable energy cost and power grid charging standards, stating that the government should “create an environment in which companies can actively respond to carbon neutrality”. KEF also supported an increase in renewables and nuclear in the energy mix of South Korea for energy security.

In the December 2022 Steel Paper of the Korea Iron and Steel Association (KOSA), KOSA did not support reform of the K-ETS, such as expanding paid allocations in the 4th trading phase (2026-2030), advocating for the Korean steel industry’s exemption from paid allocation expansion during the 4th trading phase.

On 16th November, the ElecTimes reported that the CEO of GS Power, a subsidiary of GS Energy, advocated for the use of gas-fired combined cycle combustion turbine plants in the Korean energy mix, without clear conditions on the deployment of CCS or methane abatement measures.

At a Korea-Germany business roundtable on 4th November, POSCO Managing Director Kim Hee requested government support to ‘solve the hydrogen conversion’, but did not specify POSCO’s position on the need to decarbonize hydrogen production.

As reported by Fortune Korea on the 3rd of November, the Chairman of SK Inc., Chey Tae-won, appeared to support the energy transition with an increase in renewables and nuclear to achieve net-zero in Korea, without clear statements regarding the pace and extent of this transition and the corporate’s alignment with IPCC recommendations.

At the November 3rd ‘Industry Conference on the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)’ hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MoTIE), the Korea Petrochemical Industry Association (KPIA) advocated for the Korean Emissions Trading System to be included in the EU CBAM, without a clear position on strengthening of carbon price within Korea.

In an interview with Maeil Business Newspaper published on October 25th, the General Manager of Foreign Investment Strategy of GS Energy, Song Kyu-ho, stated support for carbon capure and storage (CCS) development, but did not take a clear position on the role of fossil fuels in the energy mix.

At the ‘Evaluation of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality target and check the role and progress of carbon reduction R&D’ Forum held in the National Assembly Members’ Building on September 22nd, the Vice President of KPIA, Song Yoo-jong, appeared to not support the increased ambition of the 2030 NDC of Korea, stating “it is made based on an ideal justification rather than a realistic analysis” and that the target would not be achieved without “economic recession” such as “production stop”.

9월 22일, 국회의원 회관에서 열린 ‘2050 탄소중립 목표에 대한 평가 및 탄소 감축 R&D의 역할과 추진현황 점검’ 포럼에서, 송유종 한국석유화학협회 부회장은 2030 국가 온실가스 감축목표 상향을 지지하지 않는 것으로 나타났습니다. 그는 감축목표가 “냉정한 분석보다는 이상적 당위에 의하여 이루어진” 것이고, “생산 중단”과 같은 “경제 후퇴”가 없이는 목표를 달성할 수 없다고 말했습니다.

At the 27th Industrial Development Forum on the 2nd August, the Chairman of the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA), Jung Man-ki, opposed the Korea Emissions Trading Scheme (K-ETS) and suggested policy reform, such as ‘excluding indirect emission regulations’, ‘ease of additional allocation criteria’, and ease of carryover restrictions, and stating that “South Korea operates the world’s most highly regulated ETS.”

On the 12th July, E-Daily News Korea reported that the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) supported reforming the Korea Emissions Trading Scheme (K-ETS) to link it to international voluntary carbon markets, running contrary to the policy’s objective to increase carbon prices and reduce emissions within Korea.

As reported by Australian Financial Review on the 25th of May, the CEO of Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), Chae Hee-bong, advocated for security of energy supply over the IPCC advised pace of energy transition at the World Gas Conference.

On the 10th May, the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) advocated to abolish either the GHG emissions regulations or obligatory EVs sales system of South Korea, citing a double regulatory burden, at a meeting with the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) in Brussels.

On the 10th of April, the Korea Petrochemical Industry Association (KPIA) appeared to oppose tariffs on imported crude oil for the Korean petrochemical sector and regulations on urban oil field projects. KPIA announced that it was ‘having practical discussions' with the Ministry of Economy and Finance to request exemptions for tariffs on imported crude oil, and support for easing regulations on urban oil field projects.

On 7th March, Steel & Metal News Korea released an interview with Hyundai Steel Executive Vice President Yong-hee Kim, in which he appeared to accept the necessity of decarbonizing the steel industry through the transition from blast to electric furnaces. VP Kim called for ‘active support’ from government via ‘policies and projects’ to overcome technological barriers and encourage investment in new technologies.