South Korea Pivots to Coal to Manage Winter Energy Crunch

Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Kim Sungwhan confirmed the strategic pivot in a recent interview, noting that the country must curtail gas demand to maintain energy security. The reliance on coal is already evident, with power output from the fuel surging by 40% in April—the largest increase seen since 2019. As the world’s third-largest LNG importer, the nation remains acutely vulnerable to regional supply disruptions and the high costs associated with avoiding the Strait of Hormuz.

While the government maintains a long-term commitment to a green transition, the immediate fiscal burden of energy imports is severe. Research from Ember and the Global Energy Monitor indicates that annual fossil fuel import costs could reach $133 billion, a figure that dwarfs the nation's defense spending and annual debt repayments. Although officials have pledged $747 billion toward renewables and industry decarbonization by 2035, the current winter outlook necessitates a pragmatic dependence on traditional, higher-emission energy sources.