Page 62 - EV매거진_6호(12월)_e북용

IEA Special Korea 2020-Energy Policy Review

The government could leverage these
concerns by pushing forward its agenda
to reduce local air pollution while
simultaneously preparing the ground
for the fast implementation of other
elements of its energy transition policy.

Local air pollution
Korea has traditionally maintained a high
level of oil and gas security, although
the country hardly has any domestic
production and no cross-country oil and
Taxation gas pipelines.
There are increasing concerns in Korea It has consistently been in compliance
about local air pollution and fine dust with the IEA 90-day oil stock holding
and they have become major social and requirement. Korea has successfully
economic issues. The Seoul Metropolitan diversified the number of its oil and
Area is among the most polluted cities gas suppliers by taking advantage of
in the world, and in 2017 Korea had the changing international markets. As
highest fine particulate matter among dependence on oil and gas supplies from
OECD member countries. In 2018, the the Middle East in 2018 was still 70%
government implemented a breakthrough and 43% respectively, the government
policy towards addressing the issue by is committed to pursue diversification
giving local governments the authority further.
to temporarily suspend the operation of Moving forward with the Green New
coal-fired plants if air pollution and fine Deal, energy security will increasingly
dust exceed the legal limits set by the be assessed against a broader set of
government. To improve the levels of parameters.
air pollution, the government is further Since the last in-depth review in 2012,
committed to permanently close old coal- Korea has significantly accelerated
fired plants that have been operating for the deployment of both wind and
over 30 years. solar PV. However, as Korea started
Korea’s population appears keenly off from a very low base, the share
aware of the severity of the local air of electricity generated from variable
pollution problem and is demanding renewable sources was just under 4%
fast, and perhaps even drastic, actions. in 2018. Reaching the 2030 and 2040