Reconsider nuclear phase-out

An influential ruling party lawmaker’s proposal to restart constructing two nuclear reactors is reigniting a debate over the Moon Jae-in administration’s controversial push for a nuclear phase-out.

Rep. Song Young-gil of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said last Friday, “The government should resume the construction of two new nuclear reactors — Shin Hanul 3 and 4 — that it had halted.”

Song made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of the nuclear industry which has been hit hard by Moon’s headlong “nuclear zero” drive.

His proposal is drawing keen attention, especially as thick layers of fine dust have blanketed the country for the past several days. Song pointed out the problems of fine dust and global warming have become so severe that the nation has few other choices but to replace old coal-and oil-fired power plants.

His comments are noteworthy in that a leading member of the National Assembly from the governing party has virtually called for the Moon Jae-in administration to revise its energy policy.

The government’s self-contradictory attempts to export nuclear reactors while shutting them down at home has also made it a laughing stock in global markets. The denuclearizing energy policy runs counter to resolving the fine dust problem as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Moon administration should not remain silent about the rapidly spreading ill effects of the nuclear-free energy policy. Song’s remarks indicated that there are voices even within the governing party criticizing Moon’s policy. One of the ruling party’s duties is to rectify the government’s mistakes.

All responsible parties should join forces to correct the anti-nuclear energy policy decided unilaterally by environmental fundamentalists, and the sooner, the better.