Presidential candidates clash over nuclear policy, health insurance in televised debate

Presidential candidates hold hands ahead of the second presidential debate for the 21st presidential election at KBS Studio in Seoul, Friday. They are, from left, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, Kwon Young-gook of the Korean Democratic Labor Party and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party. Yonhap

Nuclear energy emerged as a central issue in Friday’s second televised presidential debate, with sharp disagreements over safety, efficiency and long-term strategy.

Liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate Lee Jae-myung argued against expanding nuclear power, expressing concern over its safety and cost-effectiveness.

“While we cannot completely eliminate nuclear energy overnight, the era of building more reactors should come to an end,” he said.

Lee called for a shift in focus toward renewable energy, including large-scale investments in solar and wind infrastructure, particularly in depopulated rural areas.

“We need to act urgently to strengthen our renewable base — not just for the environment, but for our economy to survive global RE100 standards,” he said, referring to the global corporate-led energy initiative that aims to source 100 percent of their energy needs from renewables.

Lee also pointed to the massive long-term costs of waste disposal and nuclear accident preparedness.

“Nuclear energy may appear cheap, but when you account for what happens if something goes wrong, it becomes one of the most expensive options."

Lee emphasized that while nuclear energy accounts for 32 percent of Korea’s power generation, the country should not build new reactors.

Instead, he advocated for increasing the share of renewables and utilizing energy storage systems (ESS) and pulped-storage hydroelectricity to meet future energy demands.

In contrast, conservative People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo pledged to double Korea’s nuclear share to 60 percent of the total energy mix.

“This is a matter of national competitiveness,” Kim said. “Korea’s nuclear technology is among the best in the world, and we have a chance to lead global exports. We should stop apologizing for our strengths.”

He criticized the liberal Moon Jae-in administration’s nuclear phase-out policy and accused the DPK of politicizing energy policy at the cost of jobs and innovation.

Kim also argued that restarting inactive nuclear reactors could quickly increase the nuclear share, countering concerns about the long construction timelines for new plants.

He dismissed the feasibility of achieving RE100 targets solely through renewables, saying, “RE100 is practically impossible.”

Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative Reform Party questioned the reliability of the ESS, citing fire risks associated with battery storage systems.

Lee Jae-myung acknowledged the concerns but emphasized rapid technological advancements in the field, saying, "We shouldn’t view everything pessimistically. The pace of technological development is incredibly fast."

The candidates also clashed over health care and pension reform.

Lee Jae-myung reiterated his plan to expand national health insurance to include long-term care services, saying the measure was essential for an aging society.

“We can fund this by curbing medical overuse and eliminating inefficiencies,” he said. “It’s not about spending more, but about spending smarter.”

Lee Jun-seok rejected the idea as fiscally irresponsible.

Citing a projected 33 trillion won shortfall ($24.09 billion) in the national health insurance fund by 2033, he argued that the DPK candidate is promising benefits without presenting a viable funding model.

“This is just another populist giveaway," he said. "Eventually, someone has to pay for it — and that someone will be the next generation."

Kim avoided direct confrontation on health insurance policies but emphasized the need to reexamine the broader structure of health care delivery, pledging to restore trust through evidence-based reform and greater public consultation.

On pension reform, all candidates acknowledged the need for urgent change.

Lee Jae-myung defended his party’s recent agreement to fix the national pension contribution rate at 13 percent and replacement rate at 43 percent but said structural reform is now necessary, saying, “We need to integrate national, basic and occupational pensions into a sustainable framework."

Kim echoed the call for change and promised a second round of reform that includes youth representatives.

“Pension policy should reflect the voices of those who will fund it, not just those who receive it,” he said.

Lee Jun-seok, however, condemned the entire framework as a generational injustice.

“Under this deal, young Koreans are each inheriting a debt of 30 million won,” he said. “We must break this cycle before it breaks them.”