Elders in Nuclear Power Meeting with Yoon: "We Must Provide Confidence That Nuclear Policy Will Not Change"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is taking a commemorative photo with participants of the 'Nuclear Energy Field Senior Luncheon Meeting' held on the 9th at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol held a luncheon on the 9th at the Yongsan Presidential Office with Lee Jong-hoon, former president of Korea Electric Power Corporation, and other senior figures in the Korean nuclear power industry to discuss ways to advance the nuclear power industry, the presidential office announced.

At the luncheon, President Yoon said, "The reason South Korea can enjoy the current level of prosperity is because nuclear power plants have supplied affordable and stable electricity," and encouraged the senior figures who played key roles at major moments in the history of nuclear power, such as the completion of Korea's first nuclear power plant, Kori Unit 1, in 1978, the completion of the nuclear fuel factory, and the Barakah nuclear power plant contract, which enabled South Korea to grow from a nuclear power importer to an exporter.

President Yoon emphasized the need to further expand the use of nuclear power to achieve carbon neutrality while simultaneously fostering advanced industries such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI). He listened to the opinions of senior experts from industry, academia, and research on securing competitiveness in the nuclear power industry, workforce development, legal and institutional improvements, and the export of third and fourth nuclear power plants.

The senior figures attending the luncheon expressed regret that "major decisions regarding nuclear power plant operations were delayed during the previous phase of nuclear phase-out policy, and its effects are still being felt today," but evaluated that "it is very fortunate that the current government quickly decided to resume new nuclear power plant construction and continue the operation of 10 existing nuclear power plants."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 'Senior Experts Luncheon Meeting in the Nuclear Power Sector' held on the 9th at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Additionally, the senior figures suggested that to expand future nuclear power exports, confidence in quality, operation, and safety must be maintained and actively promoted. They called for strengthening practical research linked to industry, academia, and research institutions, such as the development case of the latest reactor APR1400, and innovating licensing regulations not only for the operation of existing nuclear power plants but also for next-generation nuclear power plants like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

The senior figures advised, "To create an environment where nuclear power companies can invest with peace of mind and excellent students can enter nuclear engineering departments, it is necessary to provide assurance that nuclear power policies will not change in the future," and added, "Institutional support such as laws and the formation of a national consensus to continue utilizing nuclear power are needed."

Attending the luncheon meeting were former president Lee Jong-hoon, former director Shin Won-ki of the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, former chairman Song Myung-jae of the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency, former head Bang Ji-hyuk of KEPCO Nuclear Fuel, chairman Song Ha-jung of the Nuclear Power Forum, former president Park Gun-chul of Korea Electric Power International Nuclear Graduate School, former director No Tae-seon of Korea Electric Power Technology, former vice president Kim Ha-bang of Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, president Jang Soon-heung of Busan University of Foreign Studies, and professor Jeong Dong-wook of Chung-Ang University.

From the presidential office, Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok, Policy Chief Seong Tae-yoon, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs Park Chun-seop, Senior Secretary for Science and Technology Park Sang-wook, and Senior Secretary for Public Relations Lee Do-woon were present.