A general view shows exhaust gases billowing from the chimneys of the Taean Thermal Power Station, a large coal-fired power station owned by Korean Western Power Co, part of Korea Electric Power Corporation, in Taean County, South Chungcheong Province. Photo Credit: AFP-Yonhap
Environment South KoreaAnother Country Joins Global Pledge to Move Beyond Coal
South Korea has joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance, committing to close 40 coal-fired power plants by 2040 and stop building any new ones.
“The coal phaseout is not only necessary for the climate but also beneficial for energy security, corporate competitiveness and job creation,” said Climate Minister Kim Sung-hwan.
The announcement was made at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, marking a significant step for the world’s seventh-largest coal power operator and making Korea only the second Asian nation, after Singapore, to join the coalition. Launched in 2017, the alliance unites countries dedicated to ending unabated coal use and accelerating clean energy transitions. Korea’s membership reinforces its plan to replace fossil fuels with renewables and low-carbon technologies, while new consultations will determine the future of its remaining coal units. The move aligns the nation with a global momentum toward cleaner, more resilient energy systems.
