Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA) (formerly Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association)

InfluenceMap Score
for Climate Policy Engagement
E
Performance Band
33%
Organization Score
Sector:
Automobiles
Head​quarters:
Südkorea

Climate Policy Engagement Overview: In 2020-22, the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA) has negative and strategic engagement with climate change regulations, including opposition to the South Korean government’s Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) policy. In 2020-22, KAMA had negative engagement on the electrification of the transportation sector, while promoting the long-term role of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Recent years in 2023-24, KAMA has more positive engagement with electrification of transport.

Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: KAMA has taken negative positions in its top-line messaging on climate policy. As reported by Seoul Economic Daily in October 2022, KAMA Chairman, Kang Nam-hoon, did not fully support the need for carbon neutrality regulations in Korea, stating that they would be a burden to the automotive industry. In a May 2022 press release, the association opposed multiple government regulations on climate change, including GHG emissions reductions and a mandatory electric vehicles sales system, advocating for an abolishment or “reasonable adjustment”.

Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: In 2020-22, KAMA had negative engagement on South Korea’s GHG emissions reduction targets, but it changed its position toward the targets in 2023. In an April 2022 press release, KAMA Chairman, Jung Man-ki, opposed the 37% and 40% GHG emissions reduction target of South Korea’s 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), arguing that it would negatively affect production activities and employment. In a March 2023 press release, however, KAMA Chairman, Kang Nam-hoon, strongly supported increasing the supply of electric vehicles (EV) and hydrogen vehicles to achieve the 2030 NDC GHG emissions reduction target in the transportation sector.

Positioning on Energy Transition: In 2020-22, KAMA negatively engaged with the transition to a low-carbon energy mix in the transport sector, while promoting the long-term role of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. In 2023-24, KAMA has had more positive engagement on the electrification of the transportation sector, without directly stating its position on the phase-out of ICE vehicles.

In an August 2022 E-daily op-ed, KAMA Chairman, Jung Man-ki, strongly opposed South Korea’s ZEV policy, arguing that it would encourage more electric vehicle (EV) imports and decrease the domestic EV industry base of South Korea. As reported by Hankyoreh in March 2022, Jung Man-ki did not support a proposed 2035 ICE vehicle phase-out date in South Korea, as pledged by President-elect Yoon Sok-yeol in his election campaign.

However, more positively, in a February 2024 press release, KAMA Chairman, Kang Nam-hoon, broadly supported vehicle electrification. In a January 2023 press release, Kang Nam-hoon supported government investment for EV manufacturing facilities and promoted EV incentives to accelerate the electrification of transportation.

Details of Organization Score

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