The National Assembly has passed a law that makes the government’s plan to reduce the nation’s carbon emissions by 35 percent or more from its 2018 level by 2030 a legally binding goal. 

The passing of the basic law on carbon neutrality and green growth on Tuesday makes South Korea the 14th country in the world legislating the UN-sponsored 2050 carbon neutrality vision and implementation systems. 

The 35 percent goal is around nine percentage points higher than the government's previous target. 

Under the law, the government will be entitled to setting up reduction goals by industry and per year while taking into account the possible impact on national energy policies and fiscal conditions. 

The legislation will also empower the presidential committee on carbon neutrality created in May.