Lee warns of energy crisis, urges rapid shift to renewable energy

Mar 31, 2026, 09:42 am

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Lee Jae-myung speaks at the town hall meeting “Listening to Jeju’s Voice” held at Halla Convention Center, Jeju Halla University, on March 30. / Yonhap

Lee Jae-myung on March 30 stressed the need for South Korea to accelerate its transition to renewable energy, citing growing global energy instability.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Jeju, the president said, “The world is in turmoil due to energy problems. It is such a serious situation that I can hardly sleep.”

He emphasized that reliance on fossil fuels poses significant risks, adding, “Fossil energy is not even produced domestically, yet we rely on imports, which has led us to the current situation. We must quickly shift all energy sources to renewable energy.”

Jeju seen as key testbed for transition

Lee highlighted Jeju’s potential as a leading region for renewable energy transformation, noting its geographic characteristics and strong natural resources.

“Jeju is a unique region. While external dependence is difficult, it has great potential for natural renewable energy. It may be the place where we can achieve the fastest and most realistic results,” he said.

He also called for accelerating the government’s goal of making all new car sales in Jeju electric by 2035, saying, “Why take 10 years? It should be done faster.” He further urged bold and swift implementation of plans to convert all rental cars to electric vehicles.

Positions on infrastructure and regional policy

On the proposed undersea tunnel connecting Jeju to the mainland, Lee expressed caution, saying, “Perhaps Jeju’s identity as an island is what makes it unique,” signaling opposition.

Regarding the construction of a second airport in Jeju, he refrained from making a definitive decision, stating, “I ask you to make a wise judgment.”

Lee also pointed out cases where companies relocate only their registered addresses to regional areas to receive tax benefits while maintaining most operations in the capital region, ordering institutional improvements. Observers interpreted this as referring to companies such as Kakao and Nexon.

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First Lady Kim Hye-kyung pays tribute at the memorial altar at the Jeju 4·3 Peace Park on March 29. / Yonhap

Approval rating nears 70% milestone

Meanwhile, the presidential office launched a revamped citizen-participation website to mark the president’s 300th day in office.

Lee’s approval rating reached 69% last week, the highest since he took office, according to a national survey. The figure is nearly 20 percentage points higher than his 49.42% vote share in the presidential election, suggesting he has gained broader support among centrist and conservative voters.

However, analysts note that unexpected variables such as the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict could affect future approval ratings, depending on how the government manages inflation driven by rising oil prices, as well as broader diplomatic and security challenges.

#Lee Jae-myung #renewable energy #energy crisis #South Korea policy #Jeju