Minister of Environment Han Hwa-jin has a meeting with reporters from the Ministry of Environment in Sejong City on the morning of the 6th and talks regarding key tasks and environmental issues in 2023. Provided by the Ministry of Environment
The Ministry of Environment announced that it would complete the strategic environmental impact assessment of Jeju’s second airport by the legal deadline early next month. The environmental impact assessment of Seoraksan Osaek Cable Car, which is currently being reviewed, and the environmental impact assessment of Heuksan Airport, which will be conducted as the recently scheduled site is removed from the national park, are scheduled one following another, so the Ministry of Environment is on the test bed. Minister of Environment Han Hwa-jin said at a press conference on the 6th, “We will review the environmental guarantee as much as possible in the environmental impact assessment.” On the same day, Minister Han held a press conference at a restaurant in Sejong City and announced major tasks for the Ministry of Environment this year. On this day, the Ministry of Environment announced its position that it would complete the strategic environmental impact assessment of Jeju’s second airport within the statutory deadline. Previously, on the 5th of last month, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport submitted a strategic environmental impact assessment for Jeju 2nd Airport to the Ministry of Environment. The strategic environmental impact assessment consultation period is up to 40 days, so the legal deadline is March 6th. On the same day, on the 31st of last month, Minister Han explained that the National Park Commission had decided to release Yeri, Heuksando, Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, the site of the Heuksan Airport, from the national park, saying, “It was decided to release it according to the standards and procedures decided by the National Park Committee.” . Minister Han said, “There may be controversy over the environmental quality regarding Heuksan Airport, but the implementation of the (airport construction) project has not been decided.” revealed Regarding the Seorak Mountain Osaek Cable Car project, which is currently under discussion for an environmental impact assessment, he said, “We will decide the direction by reflecting the review opinions of specialized agencies as much as possible.” Regarding the national carbon neutral green growth basic plan to be announced in March, he said, “We will actively consult with related ministries such as the Carbon Neutral Green Growth Committee so that a reasonable renewable energy ratio can be set.” Minister Han said, “In the 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, there is an aspect of increasing nuclear power and fossil fuels and reducing renewable energy. In this regard, I know that there are concerns that the carbon-neutral policy and renewable energy goals may be shrinking.” Minister Han also announced that he would upgrade the emissions trading system in preparation for the European Union’s Carbon Boundary Adjustment System (CBAM). Minister Han said, “We will innovate and support the emission trading system so that Korean companies can adapt to carbon neutrality first, overcome carbon trade barriers, and preoccupy the global carbon market.” Regarding the disposable cup deposit system currently in effect in Sejong and Jeju, Minister Han reiterated that there are no plans to expand and implement it to other regions within this year. Minister Han said, “There are continuous improvements in stores, workplaces, and consumers, so at least spring, summer, fall, and winter must be done.” will,” he said. Reporter Kim Yun-ju [email protected]