[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] On the 26th, Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, criticized the Moon Jae-in administration, asking, "Should the people bear the burden of the nuclear phase-out?" This criticism comes in response to the compensation of losses from the early shutdown of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, caused by the government's nuclear phase-out policy, using the Electricity Industry Infrastructure Fund (Electricity Fund) paid by the public.
On the same day, Yoon stated on his Facebook, "The nuclear phase-out is a disaster caused by the ignorance of the Moon Jae-in government," and questioned, "Why should the people always bear the responsibility for what the previous government has caused?"
He further pointed out that compensating for the losses of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 with the Electricity Fund itself is contradictory. He explained, "In the case of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, the decision was made to shut down early and permanently due to lack of economic feasibility. Yet, compensating for those losses with the fund itself is contradictory," adding, "Because it effectively acknowledges the economic feasibility."
He also added, "If the reckless nuclear phase-out had not been pursued, there would have been no pressure to raise electricity rates, and the losses would not have had to be covered by the Electricity Fund, which is raised as a quasi-tax from the people."
He continued, "After causing a surge in real estate prices leading to tax bombs and health insurance premium bombs, the administration forced the nuclear phase-out, pressuring electricity rates, and now it seems the losses will be covered by the fund paid by the people," and said, "The Moon Jae-in administration repeatedly shifts the burden of cleaning up major accidents caused by ignorance, incompetence, and misjudgment onto the people."
Yoon stated, "The only way to escape from such misrule as the nuclear phase-out is to 'escape from the Moon Jae-in administration' and 'escape from the Democratic Party,'" and added, "The new government will not decide policies alone in advance but will seek the most suitable energy mix for our country through consultations with experts and all stakeholders."
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