[2025 Audit] Kim Sung-hwan: "New Nuclear Plants to Be Reconsidered in 12th Basic Plan... Proposal for Establishing Renewable Energy Corporation Discussed"

First National Assembly Audit for the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment
"Final Decision on New Nuclear Plants After Reviewing Suitable Sites"

Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, is attending the National Assembly inspection by the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on October 14, 2025. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, stated that the construction of new nuclear power plants would be reconsidered in the 12th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand. As one of the integration measures for power generation public enterprises, he proposed the establishment of a Renewable Energy Corporation. He also announced plans to develop a system for sharing benefits with residents living under transmission lines to facilitate the early construction of transmission networks.

Minister Kim made these remarks on October 14 during the National Assembly inspection by the Climate, Energy and Environment and Labor Committee. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment was newly established in January this year as part of a government reorganization and is undergoing its first National Assembly inspection.

In response to a question from Assemblywoman Cho Jiyeon of the People Power Party regarding the plan to build two new nuclear power plants confirmed in the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, Minister Kim said, "Currently, the 11th Basic Plan is the official national plan and must be respected. However, considering the new administration's demand to significantly expand renewable energy, we plan to establish the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, at which point we will revisit and finalize the issue of nuclear power plants."

The Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand is a 15-year long-term electricity plan established every two years. The 11th plan was originally scheduled to be finalized at the end of last year, but due to delays in reporting to the National Assembly, it was only confirmed in February this year. The 11th plan includes the construction of two new nuclear power plants and one small modular reactor (SMR) by 2038.

The 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand must be finalized by the end of next year. Since Minister Kim mentioned reconsidering the construction of large-scale nuclear power plants in the 12th plan, further controversy is expected.

The key criterion for promoting new nuclear power plant construction appears to be the availability of suitable sites. In response to a question from Assemblyman Lee Yongwoo of the Democratic Party of Korea, who asked for an assessment of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's nuclear expansion policy, Minister Kim said, "When establishing the 12th Basic Plan, we will review whether there are actually appropriate locations for new nuclear power plants and make a final decision accordingly." Regarding the continued operation of existing nuclear power plants, he added, "For nuclear power plants whose original design life has expired, we are considering extending their lifespan, provided their safety can be ensured."

In this context, Assemblyman Yoon Sanghyun of the People Power Party emphasized the need for new nuclear power plant construction and continued operation, stating, "In a public opinion survey conducted by the Korea Energy Information Culture Agency last August, 87.3% of respondents indicated that nuclear power generation is necessary."

Minister Kim commented on the current administration's energy policy direction, saying, "Given the severity of the climate crisis, we must focus on decarbonization, such as closing coal-fired power plants. We need to make decisions by appropriately considering the mix of nuclear power and renewable energy."

In response to a question from Assemblyman Park Haecheol of the Democratic Party of Korea regarding the integration of power generation public enterprises, Minister Kim said, "We will soon begin gathering opinions," and introduced the establishment of a Renewable Energy Corporation as one possible measure.

Korea South-East Power, Korea Southern Power, Korea Midland Power, Korea Western Power, and Korea East-West Power are five power generation subsidiaries that were spun off from Korea Electric Power Corporation in 2001 and are centered on thermal power generation. As the Lee Jaemyung administration has confirmed the closure of coal-fired power plants by 2040 as a national policy, discussions on the integration and restructuring of these five companies are underway.

Minister Kim also emphasized, "In the process of transitioning to electric and hydrogen vehicles, we must also consider the transition of parts suppliers. We will develop plans to ensure there is no job loss or unemployment among workers."

On this day, Assemblyman Lee Hakyoung of the Democratic Party of Korea suggested, "To expedite the construction of transmission and distribution networks, there needs to be exceptional compensation for local residents. In addition to compensation, profit-sharing should be considered for residents living under transmission lines." In response, Minister Kim replied, "We will design the system so that residents living under transmission lines can benefit."

Meanwhile, the National Assembly inspection was delayed due to objections from People Power Party lawmakers, who claimed they had not received a proper work report from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The Climate, Energy and Environment and Labor Committee decided to hold a separate plenary session on October 16 to receive a work report from the ministry.