New nuclear plant construction expected to be dropped under Lee gov't

The Hanul Nuclear Power Plant in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power

President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed support for the renewable energy industry and questioned proposals to use nuclear energy for powering data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence, implying that his government will not build additional nuclear reactors on Korean soil.

He also dismissed concerns from industry insiders and academics that the environment ministry's proposed oversight of energy policies could result in stricter regulations instead of promoting the sector's growth.

"It takes at least 15 years to build a nuclear plant, and Korea now lacks sites for new facilities except for one location that had been designated long ago," Lee said Thursday during a press conference marking 100 days since the launch of his administration.

Regarding the use of small modular reactors (SMRs), he perceived development of relevant technologies as still immature.

"The fastest way to boost electricity supply is through solar or wind power generation," Lee said. "Since renewables are the only viable solution, we will focus on developing this sector."

Lee's comments came a day after Environment Minister Kim Sung-whan suggested the government may reconsider its planned construction of two full-size reactors and one SMR. That plan was finalized under the previous administration's 11th Basic Plan on Electricity Supply and Demand.

"We should respect the 11th Basic Plan," Kim told reporters Wednesday. "On construction of new nuclear plants, there is an argument that the government should listen to public opinion."

Following Lee's latest remarks, the government is widely expected to drop plans for new reactors in the upcoming 12th Basic Plan, set to be finalized by the first half of next year.

"We need to maintain existing nuclear plants and complete those currently under construction, while extending the operations of older plants if their safety is assured," Lee said. "Ultimately, we have no choice but to transition to renewables."

Kang Chang-ho, leader of the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power union, speaks to the press during a protest in front of the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

From that standpoint, the president defended the recently announced government reorganization plan, which would transfer oversight of nuclear power and other energy policies from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to an expanded Ministry of Environment, tentatively renamed the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.

After the restructuring plan was announced Sunday, the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power union began staging a protest outside the presidential office and the National Assembly. The Korean Nuclear Society and other associations of energy experts also urged the government to withdraw the plan immediately.

Even Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan expressed concern over the proposed overhaul, saying he opposed the plan.

However, Lee insisted that having departments responsible for industry promotion and regulation debate energy policies under one ministry will be more efficient.

As an example to back up his argument, Lee pointed to subsidies given by the environment ministry to Chinese electric bus manufacturers and importers. He said the industry ministry's neglect of the environment ministry's authority over these subsidies ended up harming Korean electric bus companies.