Opposition: Radioactive Contaminated Water Leak at Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant... "Climate Crisis Must Be Addressed Based on Renewable Energy"

"South Korea's Green Taxonomy Falls Short of International Standards... 'Disguised' Green Taxonomy for Nuclear Power"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 23rd, the Democratic Party of Korea emphasized that the Yoon Seok-yeol administration should "immediately halt the disguised green taxonomy initiative and focus all efforts on climate crisis response based on renewable energy" in relation to suspicions that radioactive contaminated water leaked from the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant.

On the same day, Lee Su-jin, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, stated in a written briefing, "It has been confirmed that radioactive contaminated water is leaking from Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, which has been permanently shut down, but the government is trying to greenwash nuclear power through the 'Korean-style green taxonomy'."

Spokesperson Lee pointed out, "Despite concerns about additional leaks of radioactive contaminated water due to cracks in the storage tank of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2, the Yoon administration is forcibly including nuclear power in green economic activities by creating standards far below international levels in the Korean-style green taxonomy. The Korean-style green taxonomy presents standards that fall far short of international criteria regarding the timing of using accident-resistant nuclear fuel, radioactive waste disposal facilities, nuclear power plant lifespan extension limits, and overall nuclear-related research and development."

He added, "It is a 'disguised' green taxonomy for nuclear power," and criticized, "The disguised green taxonomy will lead to a loss of international trust in the global green finance market and avoidance of overseas capital investment." He also explained, "Already, APG, the largest pension fund in Europe based in the Netherlands, has stated that 'Korean nuclear power cannot be considered eco-friendly, making investment difficult.'"

Spokesperson Lee urged the Yoon administration to "make every effort to conduct a clear investigation, transparent disclosure, and measures to block leaks regarding the radioactive contaminated water leakage situation."