hankyoreh

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook step out of the Korean Air Force One after arriving in Budapest, Hungary, on Tuesday for a state visit. (Yonhap News)

While touring Europe, South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived in Budapest, Hungary, for a state visit on Tuesday. Following an official welcome event on Wednesday, Moon plans to hold separate meetings with Hungarian President Janos Ader and Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

“We must take immediate action on climate change,” Moon said following his attendance at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, which was held in Glasgow, Scotland. The conference, also called COP26, was attended by countries that are signatories to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“We submitted our plan for carbon neutrality, trusting our citizens’ and corporations’ passion and desire for a world that works for everyone. I hope the model we create will lead to solidarity and cooperation,” Moon said.

“Leaders from more than 120 countries attended the COP26 summit. We submitted more ambitious NDCs for 2030 and were on hand for the launch of the Global Methane Pledge,” Moon said, summarizing his activity at the conference.

NDCs, or nationally determined contributions, define countries’ commitments to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

“The crucial mission now is cooperation between developed and developing countries. That’s a mission in which the Republic of Korea should play a leading role as the only country to make the jump from developing to developed,” Moon said.

“Glasgow has gone from a city of the industrial revolution to a pioneer of carbon neutrality. It’s transforming its industrial structure as it leads the way toward overcoming the climate crisis.”

Moon remarked, “Though changing how we live is difficult, humanity has begun to do so with firm resolve. Just as the industrial revolution swept the world in an instant, enriching humanity, coexistence with the planet will become a normal lifestyle at some point and will enrich us in other ways.”

By Lee Wan, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]