South Korea's climate pledges are in question as the country's LNG gas deals with the US raise concerns. Despite promising to reduce coal power and carbon emissions, South Korea's trade agreements with President Trump involve increasing imports of US liquefied natural gas (LNG). Climate activists argue that these deals may conflict with South Korea's climate goals and lock the country into a fossil fuel-dependent future. The negotiations, which could last up to a decade, involve South Korea investing $350 billion in US projects and purchasing up to $100 billion worth of US energy products, including LNG. This raises questions about how South Korea will balance its energy sector planning, as the country aims to transition to renewable energy while maintaining its reliance on fossil fuels. South Korea's liberal President, Lee Jae Myung, has called for stronger climate commitments, but the country's overall LNG imports may not increase if it offsets purchases of more US natural gas by reducing imports from other sources. The country's energy mix is dominated by nuclear power, with renewable energy generating only 10.5% of domestic power in 2022. South Korea's coal trade is also set to be impacted by its pledge to retire 40 of its 61 coal sites by 2040, which may force coal exporters in the Asia-Pacific region to face a downturn in the market.
