The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Song Ji-hyo to make silver screen return in 'House of Meeting'

  • 3

    N. Korean leader calls for increased aerial combat posture amid tension over satellite launch

  • 5

    5 Korea tourism clips top 225 mil. views

  • 7

    Yoon accepts resignation offer of head of state broadcasting watchdog

  • 9

    Is ruling party's reform drive at end of road?

  • 11

    Daegu mayor criticizes officials for spreading false hope about Expo bid

  • 13

    INTERVIEWHip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup

  • 15

    Rights activists criticize wage discrimination against migrant boat crews

  • 17

    Yoon's state visit to Netherlands to focus on semiconductor cooperation

  • 19

    Crackdown on illegal short selling takes priority over MSCI listing: FSC vice chair

  • 2

    First S. Korea spy satellite successfully launched into orbit

  • 4

    Seoul says FEOC guidance reduces uncertainty, will continue close consultation with US

  • 6

    Tension mounts between Yoon administration, opposition party

  • 8

    Nexon workers in conflict with umbrella union over stance on feminism

  • 10

    NewJeans wins 2 grand prizes at Melon Music Awards 2023

  • 12

    Life expectancy of Koreans falls for first time in 52 years over COVID-19: data

  • 14

    Late Ven. Jaseung's additional notes on last will found at his residence

  • 16

    DL, SPC chiefs apologize for worker deaths under poor labor conditions

  • 18

    Hyundai chief pledges to support globalization of archery

  • 20

    Cabinet passes motion requesting parliamentary reconsideration of 'yellow envelope bill'

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sun, December 3, 2023 | 14:09
Politics
Government signaling u-turn in nuclear energy policy
Posted : 2022-03-21 08:53
Updated : 2022-03-21 16:50
Lee Kyung-min
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
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
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.


Emaillkm@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
LG group
Top 10 Stories
15 Korea tourism clips top 225 mil. views 5 Korea tourism clips top 225 mil. views
2Tension mounts between Yoon administration, opposition party Tension mounts between Yoon administration, opposition party
3Nexon workers in conflict with umbrella union over stance on feminism Nexon workers in conflict with umbrella union over stance on feminism
4Is ruling party's reform drive at end of road? Is ruling party's reform drive at end of road?
5Daegu mayor criticizes officials for spreading false hope about Expo bid Daegu mayor criticizes officials for spreading false hope about Expo bid
6Rights activists criticize wage discrimination against migrant boat crews Rights activists criticize wage discrimination against migrant boat crews
7DL, SPC chiefs apologize for worker deaths under poor labor conditions DL, SPC chiefs apologize for worker deaths under poor labor conditions
8Hyundai chief pledges to support globalization of archery Hyundai chief pledges to support globalization of archery
9Crackdown on illegal short selling takes priority over MSCI listing: FSC vice chair Crackdown on illegal short selling takes priority over MSCI listing: FSC vice chair
102023 Korea-EU CSO Network Human Rights Conference to emphasize diversity, practice inclusivity 2023 Korea-EU CSO Network Human Rights Conference to emphasize diversity, practice inclusivity
Top 5 Entertainment News
1Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra dazzles audience at Korea International FestivalTaipei Philharmonic Orchestra dazzles audience at Korea International Festival
2JYP to host annual audition in January JYP to host annual audition in January
3[INTERVIEW] Hip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup INTERVIEWHip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup
4ONE PACT debuts hoping to leave big impact on K-pop scene ONE PACT debuts hoping to leave big impact on K-pop scene
5[INTERVIEW] ASTRO members aim to shine in musical theaterINTERVIEWASTRO members aim to shine in musical theater
DARKROOM
  • It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

    It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

  • 2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

    2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

  • Appreciation of autumn colors

    Appreciation of autumn colors

  • Our children deserve better

    Our children deserve better

  • Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

    Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel: 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844
Date of registration: 2020.02.05
Masthead: The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group