Coal
Rising coal consumption in South Korea and a negligible production level have caused the country to rely heavily on imports over the past several years.
South Korea held only 139 million short tons (MMst) of recoverable coal reserves in 2010, according to the World Energy Council estimates. The country's coal production of 2.3 MMst was a fraction of its 136 MMst consumption in 2012. As a result, South Korea is the fourth-largest importer of coal in the world, following China, Japan, and India. Australia and Indonesia account for the majority of South Korea's coal imports, with Russia being a significant source as well. Coal consumption in South Korea increased by 55% between 2005 and 2012, driven primarily by growing demand from the electric power sector. The electric power sector accounts for 62% of the country's coal consumption, while the industrial sector accounts for most of the remaining amount, according to KEEI.