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Country report
Jan 2021
Korea Electricity Security Review
…electricity in total final energy consumption is projected to increase from around 20% today to more than 30% by 2040. Objectives for greater deployment of hydrogen in energy systems will also rely on additional electricity demand.These developments require policy makers to think about electricity security, which is the power system’s capability to ensure uninterrupted availability of electricity by withstanding and recovering from disturbances. The IEA looks at electricity security from three angles: adequacy, operational security and resilience. These three building blocks underpin each section of this report. Jointly written by the IEA and the Korean Energy Economics Institute …
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Article
16 Aug 2021
Korea Climate Resilience Policy Indicator
…the long term, and Korea is also projected to experience higher annual rainfall with more extreme precipitation events. Heavy rainfall and tropical cyclones could threaten energy supply reliability, particularly in the summer.While Korea has made progress incorporating energy system climate resilience into its climate change adaptation plans, energy sector plans do not address it sufficiently. Recognising and capitalising on the co-benefits of adaptation and mitigation actions in national energy plans will help create synergies in policy implementation. Climate hazard assessment TemperatureKorea’s average annual temperature has been trending upwards with the rate of increase accelerating. The change rate…
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Article
07 Mar 2023
Korea Electricity Security Policy
…is an isolated system with no cross-border transmission lines; therefore, electricity demand is met entirely through local production. Korea has an electricity emergency response manual outlining response procedures in the event of an electricity supply emergency. There are four levels of electricity supply emergency: concern, alert, caution and serious. Depending on the level of emergency, demand restraint measures, load-shedding and the use of black-start generators can be ordered. Infrastructure Network: transmission and distribution Korea Power Exchange (KPX), which operates under the umbrella of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), is the sole transmission system operator (TSO…
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Country report
Dec 2021
Reforming Korea's Electricity Market for Net Zero
…s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and carried out jointly by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Korea Energy Economics Institute. The objective of the study was to analyse market design improvements to enable achieving net zero in Korea's power sector, in accordance with the country's long-term decarbonisation objectives.For this the IEA devised a Korea Regional Power System Model to evaluate the emissions implications of the plans laid out in Korea’s 9th Basic Plan for Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand and the Carbon Neutral Strategy published in 2021. The analysis includes a…
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Country report
Nov 2020
Korea 2020
… in 2018, emissions were 709 Mt CO2-eq.Reaching these ambitious targets will require Korea to substantially enhance decarbonisation efforts across all energy sectors, address regulatory and institutional barriers, introduce flexible market designs, and make use of the country’s advanced technologies and innovative capacity. The government’s announcement of a Green New Deal in July 2020 as part of its post Covid‑19 recovery package is a significant step towards accelerating Korea’s energy transition. Korea’s energy transition and the Green New Deal In its 3rd Energy Master Plan (EMP), the government has confirmed its intention to gradually phase-out nuclear…
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Country report
Nov 2025
Korea 2025
…was prepared in partnership between the Government of Korea and the IEA. It draws on the IEA’s extensive knowledge and the inputs of expert peers from IEA Member countries to assess Korea’s most pressing energy sector challenges and provide recommendations on how to address them, backed by international best practices. The report also highlights areas where Korea’s leadership can serve as an example in promoting secure and clean energy transitions. It also promotes the exchange of best practices among countries to foster learning, build consensus and strengthen political will for a sustainable and affordable energy future. Translation
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Country report
Jun 2007
Energy Policies of IEA Countries: The Republic of Korea 2006
…enhancement of its policy goals – adding economic efficiency and environmental sustainability to energy security – is commendable. Building on the liberalisation of its economy, the Republic of Korea set out an ambitious plan for reform of its state-controlled natural gas and electricity industries. However, the plans have been stalled and there is currently little vision for effective reform going forward. As the economy makes the transition to one with less phenomenal, more sustainable and less predictable growth, the IEA encourages the Republic of Korea to press forward with liberalisation in order to underpin a more flexible and efficient energy sector…
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Country report
Jun 2002
Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Republic of Korea 2002
…the 26th Member of the IEA and when the country’s energy policies are being substantially reformed, to mobilise investments and increase efficiency.
The report brings information on all energy sectors (oil, gas, coal, nuclear, electricity, renewables) showing what role different energy sources could play in the context of a heavily dependency on external sources of energy.
The report analyses the effect of efficiency measures to reduce the energy intensity of the Korean economy, still one of the highest of the IEA countries.
A special attention is paid to the assessment of the energy policy reforms currently unfolding in Korea… -
Country report
Mar 2023
Strategies for Coal Transition in Korea
…study was to provide high-level policy recommendations on Korea’s clean energy transition from coal in the power sector. The report covers a detailed review of policy and market developments around Korea’s transition to net zero. The scope of the report includes all sectors of the economy, industry and all the regions across the world, where we extract the main recommendations that are applicable to the case of Korea.Currently, the power sector is the largest CO2-emitting sector and coal is the single biggest source of CO2 emissions, as it is the backbone of many electricity systems…
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Country report
Apr 2024
Natural Gas Supply Security in Korea
Insights from the 2022 Gas Supply Shock This report was commissioned by the Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI) and carried out jointly by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the KEEI. The objective of the study was to provide high-level policy recommendations on natural gas security of supply in Korea, particularly within the context of the global gas supply shock that emerged in 2022. The report covers an analysis of the natural gas supply shock in question, a detailed review of the Korean natural gas market and recommendations applicable to the Korean market.