South Korea to spend $95bn on ‘green projects’ to boost economy after coronavirus

Move expected to create 1.9 million jobs through 2025, says president

Jae-in said the government would invest £16bn to set up smart grids across the country to manage electricity use more efficiently (Getty)

South Korea’s government launched a plan on Tuesday to spend 114.1 trillion won (£75.5bn) on a “Green New Deal” to create jobs and help its economy recover from the impact of the coronavirus, Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday.

The plan would move Asia’s fourth-largest economy away from its heavy reliance on fossil fuels and promote environmentally friendly industries powered by digital technologies, including electric and hydrogen cars, smart grids and telemedicine.

The new projects are expected to create some 1.9 million jobs through 2025, Mr Jae-in said in a speech.

South Korea aimed to have 1.13 million electric vehicles and 200,000 hydrogen cars on the roads by 2025, up from 91,000 and 5,000 respectively at the end of 2019, he said, while the government would expand charging stations for the vehicles.

The plan would promote remote medical services, a work-from-home policy for businesses and online schools based on fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks, and would include tax breaks for telecom providers installing the systems.

The government would also invest 24.3 trillion won (£16bn) to set up smart grids across the country to manage electricity use more efficiently, Mr Jae-in said.

Reuters