Some of the key highlights from this report published by IEA are:
-Addressing Korea’s challenges will require sustained policy efforts, domestic and international co-operation, and technological innovation.
-Korea sets out many of its climate and energy policy objectives in strategic plans, which are updated on a cyclical basis. As much of Korea’s climate and energy policy is set out in these non-binding plans, it may be vulnerable to political changes.
-Since October 2025, responsibility oversight of the electricity market regulator (KOREC) rests with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment
-Korea faces distinct challenges in its efforts to expand renewable energy sources. Factors include the limited amount of available land, the large share of forested areas and high population density. Public opposition to energy infrastructure also leads to delays, resulting in higher costs, which are having a material impact on the location of energy projects.
-The Korea Emissions Trading System (K-ETS) covers almost 80% of domestic GHG emissions and 800 of the country’s largest emitters and aims to support the country in achieving its 2050 net zero goal.
-Korea’s power system is isolated, lacking interconnections with neighbouring countries; therefore maintaining the reliability and stability of the system is a challenge.
Access the report here