South Korea Climate Minister announces new energy and water management plans

South Korean Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Kim Seong-hwan announced several major policy roadmaps during a press briefing on the 18th. Key initiatives include the unveiling of an industrial regional electricity rate plan and a decision regarding the construction of seven new dams, both expected in August.

Regarding energy policy, the Ministry is preparing the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand. This plan will address nuclear power operations and potential additional construction, with a decision on whether to hold a public deliberation process expected within the next week. The Ministry is also considering the expansion of LNG power generation to meet the energy demands of semiconductor and AI data center clusters, while addressing necessary greenhouse gas reductions.

In response to increasing extreme weather events, the government is shifting its focus toward ‘climate security’ and proactive adaptation. This includes upgrading disaster prevention infrastructure, such as urban sewage systems, and enhancing meteorological prediction capabilities through advanced radar and supercomputing. The Ministry also plans to increase the budget for managing water quality issues, such as algae blooms, by an additional 200 to 300 billion won next year.