Electric motors account for 42.9 % (as of 2010) of electricity consumption in the Korean manufacturing sector, which represents 20.9 % of total electric power demand in Korea. Efficient use of motors in the manufacturing sector is therefore essential in controlling electric power demand in Korea. This study analyzes the potential and economic feasibility of reducing electric motor electricity consumption in the Korean manufacturing sector. Presently, Korea only enforces minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for three-phase induction electric motors rated 200 kW or less, and the industrial electricity price is much lower than the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average. In addition, load factors of electric motors are generally far below optimal efficiency, and variable-speed drive (VSD) installation rates are lower than in other advanced countries. This study analyzes the amount and cost of reducing electricity consumption under each of the following scenarios, modeled as additional strategies to the current MEPS, for reducing energy consumption: (1) expansion of MEPS enforcement, (2) increasing the industrial electricity price, (3) enhancement of motor load factors, and (4) installation of VSDs. This study found that increasing the industrial electricity price has the largest electricity reduction potential and is economically most beneficial to the society.

A policy network analysis using a questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the main climate policy actors in South Korea and examine how they form alliances and come into conflict over four major issues. Generally, it was found that governmental organizations are the main actors in the South Korean climate policy arena and that they mediate between the business and civil sectors. In particular, key organizations in each sector play a leading role in the formation and maintenance of at least two distinct alliance networks: growth and environmental. In particular, the growth network has been stronger and more intense than the environmental network, with the exception of nuclear power policy. The crucial drivers of proactive policy discourse in South Korea have been scientific discourse and a consensus on the advent of anthropogenic climate change by the international scientific community, the international climate change negotiations and the pressure to commit to GHG emissions reduction, and low-carbon green growth strategy. Policy relevance The positions of South Korean governmental organizations (as well as other civil society organizations) on the four major issues of climate policy have not been aligned. The government has not acted as a unified body; instead it is an aggregated body composed of organizations with competing interests. If policy actors with different interests share the recognition of the state of the country within global society and understand international pressure as well as the urgency of combating climate change, then a common policy goal can be achieved. It is essential for the government to exert proactive leadership for climate policies in mediating the growth and environmental networks. It is important to boost environmental networks in order to overcome the alliance of growth networks. A more proactive response for combating climate change would establish open policy-making processes for environmental network actors and provide economic opportunities for climate actions.