To reduce air pollution, South Korea will sell biodiesel for private vehicles starting in July. This biodiesel consists of diesel and 5% rapeseed oil.
![]() |
Both the East and the West are focusing on biofuel sources. |
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy of South Korea believes that this plan aligns with an agreement among domestic oil refining companies to provide additional environmentally friendly fuel.
Currently, the cost of producing biodiesel in South Korea is higher than the cost of refining crude oil.
However, the consumption of biodiesel will help reduce crude oil imports while decreasing emissions of CO2, benzene, hydrocarbons, and SOx.
At present, South Korea is not obligated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas reduction.
Nevertheless, the country plans to cut emissions similar to other industrialized nations in the coming years.
The South Korean government is also devising measures to allow for the increased use of environmentally friendly fuels.
By 2011, 5% of the energy used is expected to come from recycled and environmentally friendly sources. South Korea is considering using biodiesel containing 20% rapeseed oil in the future.
Minh Thương