September 25, 2025 (SEOUL) – At the 2025 UN Climate Summit, almost 40 heads of states and government representatives announced or reiterated their NDCs, and signaled plans to raise ambition ahead of COP30. Korea did not take the floor at the Summit, but with its 2035 NDC due in November, attention now shifts to Seoul’s next move. 

“While Korea did not take the floor at the UN Climate Summit, where 40 countries announced or reaffirmed their NDCs, the real test lies ahead with the 2035 target,” said Joojin Kim, CEO of Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC). “President Lee Jae-myung has called for a total national effort to overcome Korea’s challenges, and an ambitious 2035 NDC can deliver — restoring competitiveness, driving investment, and meeting the Constitutional Court’s call for fair, science-based burden-sharing. A bold target of at least a 61% reduction from 2018 levels by 2035 is the achievable minimum for Korea to maintain credibility and strengthen its climate leadership in Asia.” 

Just prior to the summit, on September 23 at the UN General Assembly, President Donald Trump criticized renewable energy and called for more fossil fuel use. In contrast, President Lee reiterated Korea’s commitment to expanding renewable energy — signaling Korea’s intent to pursue a different energy path from some other major powers. 

Several European countries, including the UK, Spain, Italy, and Greece, have announced commitments to phase out coal by the 2030s, establishing regional and global expectations for coal exit timelines. Korea also has the opportunity to define a credible and ambitious path for itself and the region. 

Moreover, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore sent a letter to President Lee on September 19, underscoring the urgency of decisive action. The letter calls on Korea to: 

• Publish a credible coal phase-out roadmap, ideally before 2030. 

• Align its 2035 NDC with a 60%+ emissions reduction target. 

• Embed these commitments in law. 

• Leverage its role as host of COP33, the UN Ocean Conference, and the G20 Summit to advance global climate cooperation. 

The coming months will be critical. Observers will watch for: 

• An official commitment to an early coal phase-out by 2030s accompanied by a detailed roadmap. 

• Announcement of a strengthened 2035 NDC centered on ambitious domestic action to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewables. 

• Formulation of a clear long-term pathway to 2050 net zero, aligned with the Constitutional Court’s ruling and supported by concrete interim milestones 

• Demonstration of climate leadership on the global stage, including at COP30 and as the host of APEC Leaders’ Meeting in 2025. 

ENDS.     

Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) is an independent nonprofit organization that works to accelerate global greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy transition. SFOC leverages research, litigation, community organizing, and strategic communications to deliver practical climate solutions and build movements for change.        

For media inquiries, please reach out to Yi Hyun Kim, Communications Officer, yihyun.kim@forourclimate.org.