South Korean public gives strong support for construction of new reactors
A Citizens’ Jury convened in July to determine the future of two reactor projects
in South Korea has concluded that construction of Shin Kori units 5 and 6 should
continue. South Korea’s President Moon has said he will respect the decision of
the jury.
The Citizens’ Jury voted strongly in favour of resumption of construction of Shin
Kori units 5 and 6, with 59.5% voting in favour.
World Nuclear Association Director General Agneta Rising said, “This is a very
positive decision for South Korea. It will enable the South Korean nuclear sector
to get on with reducing climate emissions and supporting national industrial
competitiveness.”
The development of nuclear energy in South Korea has played a vital role in
the country’s transformation into an export-oriented technology economy. The country boasts a fully mature nuclear industry
and its domestically built nuclear plants now provide some of the lowest-cost electricity on the grid. The country has also successfully exported its
reactor technology, the APR 1400, to the UAE and is competing
to win further international contracts.
Upon being elected President Moon announced that he would allow no more
planned nuclear plants to be built and that he would limit the operation of
existing nuclear plants to just 40 years. He also called for an end to reliance on
coal power and announced a transition to a gas and renewables powered economy.
This announcement was made without local business or expert consultation and
it is increasingly clear that the policy is not environmentally sound or economically
viable.
Rising continued “We hope that going forward the country’s political leaders will commit to comprehensive consultation processes and
listen to its energy, environment and economics experts in order to evaluate
the country's energy policy. Nuclear energy should play a leading role as part of
a resilient and clean electricity generation mix that reduces South Korea's
dependence on fossil fuels.”