Seoul Unveils K-GX Initiative to Meet 2035 Climate Goals (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea on Wednesday launched a public-private task force aimed at accelerating its green transition strategy, as the government seeks to meet its 2035 greenhouse gas reduction targets while turning climate action into a new engine of economic growth.
The K-GX Task Force — short for Korea Green Transformation — was inaugurated at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in central Seoul, the Finance Ministry said. The group will lead policy discussions and coordinate cooperation between the government and the private sector in shaping the country’s national green transition strategy.
The task force is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, with Climate and Energy Minister Kim Sung-hwan serving as secretary. Thirteen government ministries and commissions, along with major business groups and industry associations, are participating.
At the launch ceremony, the government outlined priority areas for green transformation, including the expansion of renewable energy, pilot projects for hydrogen-based steelmaking, wider adoption of hydrogen and electric vehicles, electrification of heat energy, conversion of livestock waste into energy, and revitalization of the timber industry.
South Korea Launches Public-Private Task Force for Green Transition (Image supported by ChatGPT)
Officials said the strategy will be supported by a comprehensive policy package covering technology development, certification and standards, financial and tax incentives, regulatory reform and measures to ensure a “just transition” for workers and regions affected by structural change.
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry said more than 70 percent of its member companies view a Korean-style green transformation policy as necessary, describing the K-GX initiative as a national project critical to strengthening industrial competitiveness and building future growth capacity. Business groups also urged the government to create a stable environment that would encourage long-term private investment in carbon-neutral industries.
“For an economy centered on manufacturing, an early and decisive green transformation is a matter of national survival,” Koo said, pledging full government support to ensure the strategy becomes a driver of future competitiveness and economic renewal.
Kim said the goal of the K-GX strategy was not only to reduce carbon emissions but also to stimulate domestic investment and maximize growth potential based on Korea’s technological strengths. “We will mobilize every available policy tool — from fiscal and financial measures to tax support — to back a fundamental shift toward a decarbonized growth model,” he said.
The government plans to gather industry input through the task force and unveil the final K-GX strategy in the first half of the year. A dedicated unit within the climate ministry will be established to oversee its implementation.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
