When it comes to electricity generation, South Korea is highly dependent on coal power. This means that Asia's fourth-largest economy has long adopted the cheapest ― but the dirtiest ― means to generate electricity. For this, the country has had to pay the price ― air pollution.
According to the OECD, the country's coal-fired power plants accounted for 46.2 percent of total electricity generation in 2017, much higher than the average 27.2 percent recorded by the 35 states in the world's rich countries' club. The figure was also higher than the global average of 38.1 percent. Korea's figure is the world's fourth-highest, following South Africa's 87.7 percent, India's 76.2 percent and China's 67.1 percent.
It is no surprise that the heavy reliance on coal put Korea in fourth place in the global list of bad air quality. The average ultrafine dust levels, or PM 2.5, were the highest in India at 90.2, followed by China (53.5), Vietnam (30.3) and Korea (25.1).
Considering the grave nature of air pollution, the Moon Jae-in administration is required to take radical measures to overhaul the country's energy mix and cut down on the use of coal. The government initially decided to shut down aged coal-fired plants, which have been in operation for more than 30 years, by 2022. But it recently announced a plan to speed up the closure in the face of the worsening fine dust problem.
The authorities have also decided to increase the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for power generation. Tariffs on LNG imports will be lowered drastically to offset the rising costs for power generation. Yet such measures are insufficient to fight air pollution. That's why the Moon administration should go to much greater lengths to boost clean energy.
First of all, President Moon needs to reconsider his much-avowed nuclear phase-out policy. Of course it is not easy to renege on his campaign promise to reduce the number of nuclear power plants. However given public opinion in favor of maintaining nuclear power generation, he can change his stance.
Actually, Moon has no other option but to build more conventional power plants using coal or LNG, if he presses ahead with the nuclear phase-out. He might want to boost electricity production by harnessing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. But this will take a long time, and a huge investment to increase the use of renewables, which only account for 2.8 percent of power generation here.
Thus, the Moon government should take a realistic approach. One of the viable options is to put the nuclear phase-out policy on hold. It needs to pay heed to Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party, who called for the suspension of the policy.
As Sohn pointed out, Moon's policy has not only aggravated the fine dust issue, but also weakened the nuclear power industry and the regional economy. In addition, the rigid policy has dealt a severe blow to exports of nuclear reactors and related technology.
It is important for the country to have a better energy mix to maximize its efficiency and prevent environmental degradation. Policymakers should come up with a new energy plan which can address all problems without any further delay.