Legislative and Policy Measures for Offshore Wind Development in Korea: Advancing Energy Justice in the Global Energy Transition

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The Industrial Revolution brought significant economic growth and convenience, but it also caused severe environmental degradation and climate change due to dependence on fossil fuels. These challenges have intensified social and economic inequalities and hindered sustainable development. As nations accelerate the transition to renewable energy, offshore wind power has emerged as a key pillar of global decarbonization efforts, with leading economies setting ambitious capacity targets and implementing policies to facilitate deployment. This study examines and proposes improvements to Korea’s offshore wind energy policies and legal frameworks through the lens of energy justice, emphasizing its importance in achieving carbon neutrality and ensuring a just energy transition. Energy justice encompasses distributive, procedural, and recognition justice, focusing on the equitable distribution of energy benefits and burdens, inclusive decision-making, and the rights of marginalized communities. This study identifies critical issues in Korea’s offshore wind sector, including limited public acceptance, complex permitting processes, inadequate environmental impact assessments, and insufficient protections for vulnerable groups. To address these challenges, actionable strategies are proposed. Using a comparative analysis of offshore wind policies in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France-nations at the forefront of offshore wind expansion—this research highlights best practices that align with international energy transition goals. This research explores how these nations integrate energy justice principles. The findings inform recommendations for Korea, including equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms (distributive justice), transparent and participatory governance (procedural justice), and strengthened protections for community rights (recognition justice). This study provides a foundation for enhancing Korea’s offshore wind energy sector to achieve carbon neutrality while fostering a just energy transition. By situating Korea’s offshore wind policy within the broader global energy transition framework, the research offers insights not only for domestic energy governance but also for international policymakers seeking to balance renewable energy expansion with social equity.