Greenhouse gas emissions in Korea rose at the fastest rate in 17 years in 2010, prompting the government to rethink its goal of cutting emissions by 30 percent from projected levels by 2020.

During his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Environmental Minister-nominee Yoon Seong-kyu said President Park Geun-hye recently called for a new road map to meet the goal.

Greenhouse gases in 2010 marked 669 million tons of CO2 equivalent, a 9.8 percent increase from 609 million tons of CO2e in 2009, according to the ministry.

The growth was attributed to high electricity demand for cooling and heating and an increase in car and steel production.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)