Concerns Over Deciding on New Nuclear Plants by Public Opinion Polls
"Excluding Expertise Undermines the Credibility of National Energy Policy"
Concerns have been raised that the establishment of power supply and demand plans is not a simple political event. The Korean Nuclear Society expressed deep concern over attempts to decide on the construction of new nuclear power plants through public opinion polls and the growing trend of policy-making being led by individuals with unverified, specific viewpoints, stating that such actions "could fundamentally undermine the credibility of the national energy policy."
The Korean Nuclear Society, the largest nuclear energy academic organization in the country, released a statement ahead of the government’s 12th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand. The society emphasized, "Energy policy is a centennial plan that determines the future of the people's lives, the national economy, and industry," and added, "Scientific facts, expertise, and the national interest must be prioritized over political gains or public sentiment."
The society also raised issues with moves to reverse the new nuclear power plant construction plans included in the already confirmed 11th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand, which had been finalized through bipartisan agreement and due process, without legitimate reasons. They argued that power supply and demand plans, which are based on long-term technical verification, grid analysis, and economic feasibility assessments, should not be swayed by short-term public opinion.
The society further stated that Korea must face the realities of its industrial structure and energy conditions. As a manufacturing- and export-driven country with major industries such as semiconductors, batteries, automobiles, and displays that consume large amounts of electricity, and given its limited land, lack of energy resources, and isolated power grid as an "energy island," these factors must be taken into account.
Accordingly, the society argued that energy policy should be based not on vague justifications and slogans, but on scientific modeling that comprehensively considers the supply characteristics, economic feasibility, and grid stability of each energy source. They stressed that nuclear power, as a stable baseload source, and renewable energy, which is essential for carbon neutrality and adapting to the global trade environment, must not be seen as mutually exclusive but as indispensable and complementary partners.
The society stated, "A centennial energy policy should be designed not by public sentiment but by proven expertise," and urged, "Transparent policy governance led by experts in each field-nuclear power, renewable energy, thermal power, power grids, and energy economics-must be restored."
They also emphasized that, considering issues such as connection delays and output control arising from the expansion of renewable energy, as well as the urgency of continued operation and new construction of nuclear power plants, securing flexible resources-such as power grid expansion, energy storage systems (ESS), and pumped-storage power-is essential for the coexistence of carbon-free power sources.
The Korean Nuclear Society called on the government to: △ harmoniously increase the shares of nuclear and renewable energy, △ consistently pursue the construction of new nuclear power plants included in the 11th plan, △ ensure an expert-driven policy-making system, and △ present concrete investment plans for power grids and flexible resources.
The society concluded, "The 12th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand must be established under the grand principle of 'the harmonious co-growth of nuclear and renewable energy,' free from political calculations," and emphasized, "Only energy policy grounded in science can guarantee a sustainable future for Korea."
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