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Asia-PacificPolicy profile

South Korea

Mandated

Tracked mandates

2

Active obligations

Policy targets

3

Published markers

Official sources

4

Government records

Mandate register

Requirements, timelines & compliance

Each obligation is tied to its administering authority and primary published source.

Program
Renewable Fuel Standard
Biodiesel blend
B5 rising toward B8
Aviation
1% SAF from 2027 (planned)
Phasing inBiodiesel

Renewable Fuel Standard under the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act

Refiners and importers must blend biodiesel into automotive diesel under a stepped national Renewable Fuel Standard, rising toward 5%.

Timeline

  1. 2015

    RFS starts at a 2.5% biodiesel blending obligation.

  2. 2021

    Obligation raised to 3.5%.

  3. 2024

    Obligation raised to 4.0%.

  4. 2030

    Step-up path toward 5% under the announced schedule.

Requirements

  • Obligation falls on refiners and importers placing automotive diesel on the domestic market.
  • Blending share is set by presidential decree and steps up every two to three years.
  • Feedstock and GHG criteria applied through the administering agency's verification rules.

Compliance status & enforcement

Administrator
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy with the Korea Energy Agency
How compliance is shown
Annual reporting of diesel volumes and blended biodiesel to the Korea Energy Agency.
Penalty for shortfall
Corrective orders and administrative fines under the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act.
Tradable unit
None — physical blend obligation
Adopted — not yet applicableSAF

SAF blending programme for international departures

Korea plans a 1% sustainable aviation fuel blend for international flights departing Korean airports from 2027.

Timeline

  1. 2024

    SAF expansion strategy announced with a 1% 2027 target.

  2. 2026

    Implementing rules and supply arrangements being prepared.

  3. 2027

    1% SAF blend for international departures.

Requirements

  • Applies to jet fuel uplifted for international departures.
  • Domestic co-processed SAF approved for commercial supply ahead of the mandate.
  • Implementation detail set jointly by the transport and energy ministries.

Compliance status & enforcement

Administrator
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport with MOTIE
How compliance is shown
Supplier and airline reporting of SAF uplift at Korean international airports.
Penalty for shortfall
To be defined in the implementing rules.
Tradable unit
None — physical blend obligation