Environmental Groups Urge Lee Jae Myung Administration to Exclude Lifespan Extensions for Aging Nuclear Plants

Ten Nuclear Reactors Reaching Design Lifespan
"Extending Operation Will Worsen Safety Risks and Social Conflict"

President Lee Jae Myung is speaking at the "Public Communication Campaign Part 2, Listening to the Heart of Chungcheong," held in a town hall meeting format at Daejeon Convention Center on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

Civil society groups have called on the Lee Jae Myung administration to adopt a policy of refusing to extend the lifespan of aging nuclear power plants as a key national agenda item. Six organizations, including the Miryang-Cheongdo Transmission Tower Opposition Committee and the Honam Joint Action for Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant Response, plan to hold a press conference in front of the Changseong-dong annex of the Government Complex Seoul at 11 a.m. on July 8 to announce their position.

According to these groups, a total of 10 nuclear reactors nationwide (Kori Unit 2, Hanbit Units 1 and 2, Hanul Units 1 and 2, Kori Units 3 and 4, and Wolseong Units 2, 3, and 4) will reach the end of their design lifespan by 2030. They pointed out that extending the operational life of these reactors could lead to a range of complex issues, including the management of high-level radioactive waste, increased risk of major accidents, heightened social conflict, and rising costs.

Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant panorama.

The groups also criticized the Yoon Suk Yeol administration for what they described as a "policy contradiction," noting that while the government is restricting the grid connection of new and renewable energy sources from September 2024 to December 2031, it is simultaneously pursuing lifespan extensions for aging nuclear plants. They argued that shutting down old nuclear reactors would free up approximately 10GW of transmission line capacity, thereby reducing conflicts and financial burdens associated with the construction of new transmission networks.

The organizations stated that "in order for the Lee Jae Myung administration to fulfill its energy pledges and accelerate the transition to renewable energy, the extension of aging nuclear power plant lifespans must be halted." They plan to urge the National Policy Planning Committee to adopt this demand as a national policy agenda item.