Korea's nuclear phase-out policy trapped in paradox

President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with his Hungarian counterpart Janos Ader after a joint press conference at the latter's residence in Budapest, Wednesday (local time). Yonhap

President Moon faces self-contradiction during nuclear tech sales to European countries

By Nam Hyun-woo

President Moon Jae-in's policy to phase out nuclear power from Korea's energy mix is facing a self-contradiction, as he apparently recognizes the necessity of nuclear power during his sales pitch to export domestic reactors to central European countries.

During a joint press conference with President Janos Ader after a summit, Wednesday (local time), the Hungarian head of state said the two had reaffirmed each other's promise to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, adding "it is the shared intention of the two countries that carbon neutrality cannot be achieved without nuclear energy."

Ader's remark contrasted with Moon's policy to phase out nuclear energy in Korea. The government has been pursuing a plan of replacing domestic nuclear power plants with renewable energy and some remaining coal-fired power plants by 2079, despite experts' concerns on potential power shortages and the necessity of nuclear power for cutting emissions.

According to the plan, the country's nuclear reactors will be decommissioned when they reach the end of their respective design life, so the number will decline from the current 24 to 18 in 2031 and 9 in 2050.

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So far, the Moon administration has been dismissing concerns that the country's nuclear power industry may collapse due to the policy, saying the industry can sustain itself by exporting technologies and developing a reactor decommissioning business. This, however, also raises doubts as it faces the paradox of Korea selling its nuclear technology to other countries while it exits the sector.

A computer rendering of a power plant using Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's (KHNP) APR 1400 nuclear reactor. Courtesy of KHNP

The Hungarian president's comments are seen as an example of such doubts being realized.

A senior official at Cheong Wa Dae said, "Moon told Ader that Korea's nuclear power plants will play their role until carbon neutrality in 2050, but the country will not build any new reactors. But it seemed that Ader placed his focus on the role of the nuclear reactors."

The official noted that Korea's nuclear power industry has technological prowess despite the phase-out policy, adding, "we are seeking a win-win situation."

"Countries including Poland and the Czech Republic want nuclear reactors. Since we have the technologies and experience, we may be able to find ways for mutual benefit."

Despite the explanation, questions remain about whether Moon can be free from such a paradox during his remaining efforts to promote Korea's nuclear technologies to partners.

According to the presidential office, Moon will meet the leaders of the Visegrad Group, an organization of the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, late Thursday (KST). During the meeting, Moon will discuss improving the countries' ties with Korea in the fields of nuclear power plant, airport and defense industries.

Poland plans to build six nuclear reactors by 2040, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power plans to tender an offer of six APR1400 reactors with a total capacity of 8.4 gigawatts. Korea is also staking out its claims on the Czech Republic's project of building an additional reactor in the southern region of Dukovany.

"The Hungarian president's comment shows that the Moon administration's nuclear energy policy is in a paradox," said Prof. Seong Poong-hyun of the Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. "The paradox leaves a burden for the next administration, because it has to find consistency in Korea's stance on nuclear energy and explain it properly to partner countries."

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