Ha Jungwoo of Presidential Office Says "Lee Administration Never Pursued Nuclear Phase-Out," Vows Pragmatic Energy Policy

Ha Jungwoo Announces Policy via Social Media
Kim Seonghwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment: "New Nuclear Power Plant Construction to Proceed as Planned"
Environmental Groups Criticize Abandonment of Nuclear Phase-Out Policy

Ha Jungwoo, Senior Secretary for AI Future Planning at the Presidential Office, stated, "The energy policy of the Lee Jaemyung administration has always been a pragmatic energy mix policy," adding, "There has never been a phase-out of nuclear power."

On January 27, Ha shared an article on Facebook introducing the announcement by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment regarding the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, making these remarks.

He went on to say, "Energy is science. In line with the energy demand of AI data centers and growth-driving industries, we will establish and implement rational, effective, and pragmatic energy policies, including the 12th Basic Electricity Plan."

Previously, on January 26, Kim Seonghwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, said, "We will proceed as planned with the construction of new nuclear power plants under the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand." The ministry accepted the results of a nationwide public opinion survey conducted through two polling agencies, which showed overwhelming support for nuclear power, and took a step back from its previous stance.

The ministry explained that Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power will soon begin soliciting sites, aiming to obtain construction permits in the early 2030s and complete the plants in 2037 and 2038. As a result, the locations for new nuclear power plants and the outline of the 12th Basic Electricity Plan are expected to be revealed in the first half of the year. Minister Kim stated, "To respond to climate change, we must reduce carbon emissions in all sectors, and to cut carbon in the power sector, it is necessary to reduce coal and LNG (liquefied natural gas) power generation." He added, "We need to operate our power system focusing on renewable energy and nuclear power."

In response, environmental groups and others criticized the government for abandoning its nuclear phase-out policy.