Stronger resistance fomenting against nuclear plants

By Lee Hyo-sik

The government’s plan to build more nuclear power plants is facing growing public opposition amid heightened concerns over the safety of nuclear energy, following a series of explosions at earthquake-damaged reactors in Japan.

Residents of candidate municipalities for the construction of new nuclear plants have begun organizing campaigns together with environmental civic groups, demanding the government stop the construction of more plants.

They claim that either an earthquake ― as seen in Japan over the past few days ― or human error could also lead to a catastrophe in Korea.

However, government officials have vowed to build more nuclear facilities as planned, arguing that nuclear energy is a safe and affordable way to generate electricity. They say that it is highly unlikely that Korea will be hit by an earthquake as strong as the one that ravaged Japan’s northeastern coast on March 11.

The government plans to increase the portion of electricity generated by nuclear plants to 41 percent of the country’s total power demand by 2030, up from 23.3 percent in 2010. Currently, there are four nuclear power plants operating 21 reactors in Korea, which are situated in rural coastal areas similar to Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture.

Opposition gains momentum

Conflict over the construction of the nuclear plants is expected to deepen between residents opposing them and those seeking to attract a new nuclear plant in return for a large sum of financial incentives and compensation.

``Nuclear energy is too risky for humans to use. As shown by what happened to Japan, natural phenomena and human error could result in a total disaster. Following the explosion of the Fukushima rectors, public opinion toward the use of nuclear energy has turned extremely negative,’’ said Park Hong-pyo, chairman of the Samcheok Nuclear Plant Abolition Committee.

He said Samcheok in Gangwon Province had initially promised to decide whether or not to allow a nuclear plant after winning approval from the majority of residents in a poll.

``But it has not kept its word. Now it is falsely publicizing that nearly 97 percent of Samcheok residents are supporting the construction of a nuclear plant without holding resident polls. The mayor and city officials are all liars,’’ Park said.

Unless the city withdraws its bid to have a nuclear power plant, the chairman said residents will take all possible action, including staging a candlelit protest and filing a lawsuit, to stop it from being built in cooperation with other civic groups.

Lee Heon-seok, a representative of Energy Justice Actions, echoed Park’s view, saying that Koreans can equally fall victim to a nuclear disaster.

``The ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan could happen here at any time. We should realize the seriousness of the threats posed by nuclear plants operating in the country. Korea should shut down all nuclear facilities, not to mention scrapping its plan to add new ones,’’ the head of the environmental conservation group said.

He said his organization will continue to campaign against the use of nuclear energy in cooperation with political parties, other civic groups and residents living near nuclear plants.

Safety concerns overblown?

However, these municipalities are dismissing growing concerns among residents over the safety of nuclear energy.

``Despite what happened in Japan, we will continue to work hard to be the site of a nuclear power plant in order to boost the sluggish regional economy,’’ said Lee Jeong-soo, manager of the nuclear energy industry team at Samcheok City.

He said what is to be built in the city will be significantly different from Fukushima reactors, insisting the newly-constructed reactors are much more advanced and safer.

``Additionally, geologists say there is almost zero chance of Korea being hit by an earthquake as strong as the one that devastated Japan last week. It is absurd for us to abandon our bid to build a nuclear plant and turn the city into a future-oriented energy complex,’’ Lee stressed.

Currently, the state-run Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power is scouting for a site to accommodate six reactors. The project is worth 21 trillion won and the municipality hosting the plant will be awarded a total of 4.7 trillion won in incentives over the years.