Beyond Carbon Reduction: Korea Launches K-GX as a New Growth Engine with KRW 1,000 Trillion (~US$750 billion) Investment Over 10 Years

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President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the National Briefing on the Korean Green Transformation (K-GX) Strategy held at a conference hall in Seoul on October 7, 2026. / Photo = Newsis

 

On Wednesday, October 7, 2026 the Korean government announced the Korea-Green Transformation (K-GX) Strategy, a ten-year plan for 2026–2035 that aims to turn decarbonization into a new engine of growth. "The goal is to go beyond responding to the climate crisis and overhaul the structure of Korea's economy," the government said in its release. It aims to make Korea a green manufacturing powerhouse.

 

The K-GX Strategy has three main directions:

1. K-GX as a new growth engine: Raise industrial competitiveness through technological innovation and capture global high-value-added markets.

  • Accelerating decarbonization across the industrial structure

  • Achieving 100 GW of renewable energy early, by 2030

  • Electrifying all modes of transport

  • Fostering 10 national-champion green industries

  • Promoting the growth of climate-tech innovative companies

 

2. K-GX for everyone: Draw on regional capabilities and leave no group behind in the transition.

  • GX enjoyed by regions and citizens alike

  • Green transition of the national territory

  • Proactive response to climate risks

  • GX for mutual benefit and inclusion

 

3. Sustainable K-GX: Use government seed support and credible policy to remove uncertainty and build an ecosystem for private investment.

  • KRW 1,000 trillion in fiscal and climate finance over 10 years

  • Tax benefits, regulatory improvement and an innovation environment

 

These policy directions will be complemented by 10 K-GX Signature Projects that fall into four areas:

  • Self-reliance in the clean energy supply chain
  • Decarbonization of core national industries
  • Electrification of all means of transport
  • GX of citizens' living spaces

 

The government plans to mobilize KRW 1,000 trillion (~US$750 billion) in fiscal resources and climate finance over ten years, alongside KRW 220 trillion (~US$165 billion) in private investment through ten K-GX signature projects.