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| Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Moon Sung-wook, front right, walks through the lobby at Hanul Nuclear Power Plant in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, March 18. Yonhap |
By Lee Kyung-min
The government is rushing to make a rapid course correction in its nuclear energy policy, as evidenced by the energy minister calling for swift construction of four nuclear energy plants, a plan that has long been stalled and faced political disruptions under the Moon Jae-in administration.
The trade ministry has dismissed the brewing criticism over policy inconsistencies. However, his marked flip-flopping calls into question whether and how deep Cheong Wa Dae was involved, since he made it clear in late January that expansion of nuclear energy was "not desirable."
On March 18, Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Moon Sung-wook visited Hanul Nuclear Power Plant in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, operated by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and reiterated the need for the speedy construction of four nuclear power plants.
"Please ensure the full use of the nuclear energy plants in operation for a stable energy supply, and that there are no complications or delays in building Hanul 1 and 2 as well as Shin Kori 5 and 6," he said.
The sudden emphasis contradicts his stance expressed during a press briefing Jan. 25, when he said that the government "does not have a favorable view on the expansion of nuclear energy."
He said it was undesirable to construct new nuclear power plants in Korea "unless safe storage and disposal of high-level radioactive waste including spent nuclear fuel can be guaranteed."
The notable directive change will lead to a prompt resumption of the four plants, putting an end to years of uncertainty brought on by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, a nuclear safety regulation- and policy-making body criticized for a slew of politically motivated and ideology-driven decisions.
A safety and viability review scheduled to be led by the commission was dragged on due to a lack of agreement among the members.
Also underlying the latest policy turn are a sudden embrace of nuclear policy by President Moon Jae-in and President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's energy plans centering on restoring reliance on the much-blasted energy source.
Moon said on Feb. 25 that the government should use nuclear energy as a core energy source for the next 60 years. Yoon said on March 10 that he would develop Korea as a global leader in nuclear technology.
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