In the midst of the COP30 sessions, South Korea announced that it aims to shut down the country's 61 thermal power plants, responsible for 33% of energy production, within 15 years. The world's fourth-largest coal importer, accounting for 8% of total exports, has set closure dates for 40 power plants, with the remaining 21 slated for closure by early 2026. Kim Sung-hwan, South Korea's Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment, stated from Brazil that the closures are not only for climate reasons but also to increase competitiveness and create thousands of jobs. South Korea is the second Asian country, after Singapore, to join the Powering Past Coal Alliance, an initiative that brings together some sixty countries, mostly developed nations. An hour after the announcement, the minister participated in an event in Belém with his Australian counterpart, Chris Bowen. Australia has seen its presence in the South Korean market reduced by competitors such as Russia and Indonesia, but it still exports almost 10% of its coal to the Asian country, with a value of around AU$2.3 billion (approximately €1.3 billion) in 2025, according to the auditor.