South Korea Launches Climate Citizens’ Assembly to Shape National Policy
Seoul, South Korea – On Saturday, February 28, 2026, a coalition of climate-focused organizations in South Korea convened a Climate Citizens’ Assembly, bringing together randomly selected citizens to propose and prioritize policies for addressing the climate crisis. The event, held at Seoul City Hall, represents a significant step towards more democratic and inclusive climate governance in the nation.
Background and Objectives
The Climate Citizens’ Assembly is a citizen-led initiative designed to inform the development of South Korea’s climate policies. Prior to the launch of the government’s planned ‘Climate Citizens’ Conference’, this assembly aimed to outline the shape and demands of a council that reflects broader public values. The event builds on a growing movement towards participatory democracy in climate action, recognizing the need for diverse voices in shaping solutions to the climate crisis.
Key Themes and Priorities
Preliminary research conducted through the Party Town Hall revealed strong citizen support for several key themes. Participants expressed high sympathy for climate justice (34%), climate democracy (33%), diversity (19%), citizen participation (19%), public debate (19%), sustainability (15%), solidarity (15%), and climate parties (14%).
Event Highlights
The assembly featured keynote lectures from Ian So-young, CEO of Women’s Environmental Solidarity, and Kim Joo-on, a researcher at the Green Transition Research Institute. Following the lectures, participants engaged in open communication, sharing opinions and questions. The core of the event involved breakout discussions centered around six key agenda items: accessibility, representation, roles and authority, gender equality, conditions for deliberation, and agenda setting. Approximately 100 participants, divided into 12 tables (two per topic), actively exchanged ideas.
Proposal Development and Voting
Each table generated three proposals per agenda item, resulting in six voting proposals per topic. All participants then voted on which proposals should be prioritized. The voting results, along with the discussions from each table, will be compiled and disseminated widely, serving as a record of citizen perspectives and a foundation for future policy discussions. The results are available on the Party Citizen Questions Page.
The Role of Digital Platforms
The event leveraged digital tools, including the Party Town Hall, to facilitate discussion, organize results, and visualize data. Organizers emphasized the role of citizen-led digital public forums in increasing participant engagement and contributing to a more effective democracy.
Looking Ahead
The outcomes of the Climate Citizens’ Assembly will be shared with experts, activists, and administrative agencies, providing valuable input for the development of government policy. This initiative underscores the growing recognition of the importance of public participation in addressing the climate crisis and creating a more sustainable future for South Korea.