South Korea's Nuclear Resurgence

South Korea's energy landscape is undergoing a metamorphosis under President Yoon Seok Yeol. Nuclear power production, once shunned, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, driven by aspirations to address climate change and bolster energy security. This shift, however, ignites a heated debate, posing both intriguing opportunities and significant challenges on the path to a clean energy future.

Electricity generated by South Korea's nuclear fleet represented in 2022 closed to 30% of total country power generation, expectations for 2040 are around 35% to 40%.?

As of today, there are two major nuclear projects ongoing in South Korea. The first one is Shin Hanul 3 & 4. It consists in the construction on two APR1400 reactors. Project in December 2023 at the existing Shin Hanul site in Ulsan. Connection to the grid is expected for 2029/2030. ?APR1400 stands for Advanced Power Reactor 1400 Megawatts (MWe). It's a standardized, third-generation pressurized water reactor (PWR) design developed by like Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Limited - Seoul Korea .

The second one is Cheon-ji. It includes two 1500 MWe APR+ reactors in North Gyeongsang province. The earliest possible construction start date is 2024, with operation possibly beginning in 2033.?1500 MWe indicates the?net electrical output capacity?of the reactor,?which is 1500 Megawatts (MW).?This is slightly higher than the 1400 MW capacity of the standard APR1400 design, +:?The "+" symbol signifies?further enhancements?made to the original APR1400 design (eg.: Increased thermal output, Improved safety feature, Longer fuel cycle, More efficient operation). Companies like Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) , HYUNDAI ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. , Samsung C&T Corporation , and DOOSAN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION (INCORPORATED IN SOUTH KOREA) , Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) are heavily involved.

Despite being already active on international markets, Korea energy produces hail this comeback in Korea as a crucial step towards a stable and cost-effective energy supply, highlighting its affordability compared to alternatives like liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewables.

Environmental groups, however, raise their voices, calling for a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions across the entire nuclear fuel cycle. They question the economic feasibility of this renewed focus, especially considering global energy trends favoring renewables.

To take some example of the most active groups, The Korean Korean Federation for Enviromental Movem acts as a powerful umbrella organization, uniting diverse environmental groups under a unified banner. They raise concerns about safety risks, radioactive waste management, and the potential environmental impact of nuclear power. By conducting research, organizing protests, and pursuing legal avenues, KFEM aims to influence public perception and policy decisions.

In addition, the Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA) adopts a more specialized approach, focusing on in-depth research and public education. Their focus centers on nuclear safety, health concerns, and the economic feasibility of nuclear power. Through reports, seminars, and advocacy for transparent decision-making, it strives to equip the public with informed arguments against nuclear expansion.

Finally, the Green Korea United injects a vibrant and youthful voice into the opposition. This youth-led organization leverages street protests, online campaigns, and creative actions to raise awareness and garner public support. Highlighting the dangers of radiation exposure and promoting renewable energy alternatives, Green Korea seeks to influence the future energy landscape of the country.

In any case, Gauging the exact number of people supporting South Korean nuclear projects is challenging due to the complex and evolving nature of public opinion, it is possible to paint a picture of the current landscape. In fact, in September 2021, a poll by Embrain on behalf of the Korean Nuclear Society found that 72.1% of respondents supported the use of nuclear power,?while 24.3% opposed it. Similarly, in a 2023 survey by the @Korea Environmental Policy & Research Institute @KEPRI showed 62.8% support for nuclear power,?with 32.2% opposed. This means that while past administrations leaned towards phasing out nuclear power,?the current administration under President Yoon Seok-yeol emphasizes its importance for energy security and climate goals.?This shift might influence public opinion.

South Korea currently imports virtually all of its uranium for nuclear power generation. As of 2023, the main sources of its uranium are Canada (30%), Kazakhstan (20%) and Australia (15%). Smaller proportions of uranium are also sourced from countries like Niger,?Namibia,?and the United States. These ratio may probably change within next decade as a reflect of geopolitics change in the Asia-Pacific region.

In fact,?South Korea's recent National Resource Security Special Act, designating uranium as a critical resource, opens doors for new collaboration models for North America, European and also Australia companies, not just as a uranium supplier but also in diverse areas. These include co-developing small modular reactors (SMRs), tackling the complex issue of nuclear waste management, and decommissioning existing reactors. Strengthening partnerships could involve cooperation on critical minerals, establishing dialogues between nuclear safety commissions, and exploring opportunities identified in upcoming international nuclear conferences.

Despite internal debate, the 28th UN Climate Change Conference COP28 UAE officially endorsed nuclear energy's potential for achieving carbon neutrality and energy security. This global endorsement aligns with Canada's ongoing collaborative projects with South Korea in SMR technology, signifying a shared commitment to leveraging nuclear energy for sustainable development.