Experts say that the government is worried that Taiwan’s recent example may fuel momentum for those who are opposed to the phase-out plan in Korea. (image: Public Domain)
SEOUL, Nov. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — After voters in Taiwan approved a referendum to stop the phase-out of nuclear power, South Korean advocates of nuclear energy have started to speak out about having a similar public discourse surrounding Korea’s own planned nuclear phase-out.
The South Korean government has officially said that it plans to go ahead with the phase-out because domestic conditions differ from those in Taiwan.
But experts say that the government is worried that Taiwan’s recent example may fuel momentum for those who are opposed to the phase-out plan in Korea.
Prof. Jeong Yong-hoon of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology’s department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering highlighted the fact that Taiwan’s electric supply became unstable after the country announced the nuclear phase out.
“It’s something that South Korea may be faced with, so we should ask the public how much they support the measure,” said the professor.
The South Korean government, however, is trying to distance itself from Taiwan’s decision, stating that Taiwan’s circumstances are different from Korea because of the former’s hurried execution of the phase-out.
H. S. Seo (hsseo@koreabizwire.com)
