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작성일 : 17-10-25 11:19
Energy & Climate Focus in South Korea Nuclear phase-out 2080?: Social Consensus on Shin Kori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5,6
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In some countries, citizens decided to phase out nuclear power through referendum. In South Korea, social consensus, which means higher democratic way of politics, is completed. About 3000 people was told to join in consensus group, 500 was selected for deliberative polling, and 471 participated in the public debate process of three days.

Whole process was designed for three months. The first meeting was held on 16th September. On the meeting, experts introduced the meaning of ‘social consensus’ and ‘deliberative process’. After the introduction, experts from different side (construction restart/construction suspension) presented their thoughts on construction of Shin Kori Nuclear Power Plant No. 5 and 6. According to Korean government, 28.8% of Shin Kori Nuclear Power Plant’s construction is completed.  Opposing views from nuclear industry went strong, government was hard to fulfill the pledges on nuclear phase out. President Moon’s pledge was to cancel Shin Kori 5 & 6, and organize the social consensus process on Shin Hanul 1,2 and Shin Kori 4. However, these three power plants all out of the question. 

This consensus process was indicated by Moon’s ceremony marking on Kori 1’s permanent closure. He mentioned “entire review” of the nuclear power policy, but the social consensus is only limited to the construction of Shin Kori 5 & 6. During the election, president Moon mentioned “nuclear phase out”, but now public opinions are only interested in Shin Kori 5 & 6, nuclear phase out seems far away from this condition. Social consensus went on during 14th-16th October, 471 of 475 panels participated on the event. They have voted on the construction of Shin Kori 5,6 and the results was resume of the construction. 59.5% of the panels chose the resume, only 40.5% chose to stop constructing. However, the noticeable fact is, citizen panels suggested that the nuclear power plant should be reduced in the future. Up to 53.2% of the participants claimed to reduce the nuclear power plant, while 9.7% claimed to extend nuclear power plant. President Moon also declared that his administration will launch without delay a shift in the nation’s energy policy, which is based on three principles of a nuclear phase-out: no new nuclear power plants; safely maintain the existing plants; and quickly shut down the plants that have reached their lifespan. According to Moon’s plan, the time for the denuclearization of Korea is expected to be 2080. We still have a long way to go to change energy system in Korea.

Written by Nam young Kim, ECPI

 
   
 




 
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