[Fact Check] Opposition Party: "Nuclear Power Is Not Renewable Energy" ? Is It True?

Law, International Classification "Nuclear Power Is Not Renewable Energy"
Voices Saying Nuclear Power Is Also Necessary for Carbon Neutrality

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Kim Seong-hwan, chairman of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, recently emphasized the need to foster renewable energy while stating that "nuclear power generation is not classified as renewable energy." Is nuclear power generation excluded from renewable energy as Kim mentioned? After reviewing the classification criteria of renewable energy by internationally authoritative organizations, domestic laws, and expert opinions, Kim's statement was confirmed to be true.

At the party's Policy Coordination Committee meeting on the 2nd, Chairman Kim said, "The world is currently expanding new protectionism in response to the climate crisis and to increase domestic industrial jobs, and the competition for green technology hegemony is intensifying," adding, "Global companies like Apple, which have joined RE100, are demanding that their supply chain companies deliver only products produced with renewable energy." He continued, "However, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is only obsessed with nuclear power, going in the exact opposite direction of the global trend," and said, "For reference, nuclear power is a very dangerous energy source and therefore is not classified as renewable energy." Chairman Kim warned, "If this continues for a few more years, everyone will die, just like the line from the drama Squid Game."

Chairman Kim stressed the need for domestic response, expressing concern that the U.S. and Europe might expand new protectionism centered on renewable energy.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In a phone interview with this paper, he explained, "So-called global companies are joining RE100, which pledges to use 100% renewable energy," adding, "Apple plans to produce all products with renewable energy by 2030 and requires its suppliers to do the same. This means Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix must manufacture semiconductors using renewable energy." He further explained, "Nuclear power is not included in this classification," and "Nuclear power is not classified as renewable energy due to issues such as the need for long-term safe storage."

To fact-check this statement, the truth of the claim that "nuclear power is not classified as renewable energy" was verified.

In conclusion, domestic laws and international organizations do not classify nuclear power as renewable energy.

First, Article 2, Paragraph 2 of Korea's "Act on the Development, Use, and Diffusion of New and Renewable Energy" defines renewable energy as "energy converted and used from renewable sources including sunlight, water, geothermal heat, precipitation, and biomass." The legal definition also states that renewable energy excludes "energy sources such as petroleum, coal, nuclear power, or natural gas." It explicitly stipulates that nuclear power is not included in renewable energy.

The United Nations (UN) also defines renewable energy as solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, tidal power, and biomass. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) describes renewable energy as including biomass (wood, biofuels, biogas, etc.), hydropower, geothermal power, and solar power. The UN explains that renewable energy must be energy obtained from nature that can be replenished at a rate higher than consumption, such as sunlight or wind, and must be an energy source abundantly found around us. It also explains that petroleum, coal, and gas take millions of years to form and emit carbon dioxide, which causes the greenhouse effect during energy production.

Domestic experts also unanimously agree that nuclear power is not included in renewable energy. However, there is some disagreement regarding the claim that nuclear power is excluded because it is dangerous. Professor Jeong Dong-wook of the Department of Energy Systems Engineering at Chung-Ang University told this paper, "It is true that nuclear power is not classified as renewable energy," adding, "This is because renewable energy must be recyclable and utilize natural forces."

Mike Peirce, CEO of the multinational nonprofit organization RE100, also clearly stated in an interview with MBC last month that nuclear power is not included in renewable energy. Peirce said, "Nuclear power is not a goal pursued by companies participating in RE100."

As Chairman Kim feared, if RE100 spreads, the lack of renewable energy power production could potentially impact domestic industry and employment.

However, experts have differing opinions on the point that "nuclear power is excluded from renewable energy because it is very dangerous."

Seok Dong-hoon, a specialist at the Energy Transition Forum, said, "RE100 does not include nuclear power in its renewable energy and initiative goals," adding, "(This standard) emphasizes environmental sustainability, and (Chairman Kim's statement) seems to mean that nuclear power does not meet that standard."

On the other hand, Professor Jeong said, "It is excessive to say that nuclear power is excluded from renewable energy just because it is dangerous." He explained, "It is true that nuclear power is not included in RE100, but the ultimate goal is to move beyond low-carbon energy to zero-carbon energy. Since it is difficult to achieve low-carbon energy with RE100 alone, there are discussions in countries like Japan to include non-fossil fuels (which would include nuclear power) in RE100," adding, "Recently, there is also a realistic movement called CF100 that includes nuclear power, which does not emit carbon."