Policy Forum on the New Government’s Nuclear Energy Policy Direction and Key Issues
The 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand (“the Basic Plan”) includes major provisions such as full lifetime extensions for aging nuclear reactors, additional construction of new reactors, and the introduction of SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) that still lack sufficient commercialization verification.
In particular, the policy premise of extending all aging reactors’ lifespans without rigorous safety reviews undermines the fundamental principle of prioritizing public safety in nuclear energy operation. As seen in recent cases in France, expanding nuclear power—a rigid energy source with low operational flexibility—can severely hinder grid operation. In Korea’s isolated grid conditions, building additional large-scale inflexible power plants on top of existing reactors could undermine not only renewable energy but also the economic viability of current nuclear plants, while creating astronomical stranded costs.
Moreover, including SMRs—technologies with limited commercialization experience and unproven economic feasibility—in the national plan carries significant risks of technical uncertainty and financial burden. A nuclear expansion strategy based solely on optimistic projections could, in the long term, undermine both energy transition and industrial competitiveness.
Therefore, it is essential for the new government to re-evaluate past nuclear-centered energy policies with a sober perspective on safety, economic feasibility, technological viability, and market potential.
This forum will serve as an important venue to derive a safe and sustainable energy policy direction aligned with the vision of a grand energy transition.
We sincerely invite your interest and participation.
[Event Overview]
- Date & Time: Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 14:00
- Venue: Conference Room 10, National Assembly Members’ Office Building(741 Gukhoe-daero, Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul)
- Hosted by: Office of Rep. Seo Wang-jin, Energy Transition Forum
[How to Attend]
- Offline Attendance: ▶Apply Here
- Livestream & Replay: YouTube Video
[Program Schedule]
| Time / Schedule | Program |
14:00-14:30
| Participant Registration
|
| 14:30- 14:50 | Opening Remarks & Congratulatory Address |
| 14:50-15:10 | Presentation 1 The Reality of the Global Nuclear Market(Byung-hwa Han, Executive Director, Eugene Investment & Securities) |
| 15:10-15:30 | Presentation 2
Concerns and Alternatives for the New Government’s Nuclear Policy(Kwang-hoon Seok, Senior Expert, Energy Transition Forum) |
15:45-16:30
| Panel Discussion
*Moderator: Prof. Soon-jin Yoon, Dean, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Seoul National University (Co-Chair, Energy Transition Forum)Young-hee Kim, Representative, Sunflower Lawyers for a Nuclear-Free World Jung-yoon Lee, Representative, Nuclear Safety and Future Bu-il Kang, Director of Grid Operation, Korea Power Exchange |
| 16:30~17:00 | Open Discussion & Q&A
|
*Please note: The schedule may be subject to adjustments depending on on-site circumstances.
[Inquiries]
info@energytransitionkorea.org / 02-2633-1418
Policy Forum on the New Government’s Nuclear Energy Policy Direction and Key Issues
The 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand (“the Basic Plan”) includes major provisions such as full lifetime extensions for aging nuclear reactors, additional construction of new reactors, and the introduction of SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) that still lack sufficient commercialization verification.
In particular, the policy premise of extending all aging reactors’ lifespans without rigorous safety reviews undermines the fundamental principle of prioritizing public safety in nuclear energy operation. As seen in recent cases in France, expanding nuclear power—a rigid energy source with low operational flexibility—can severely hinder grid operation. In Korea’s isolated grid conditions, building additional large-scale inflexible power plants on top of existing reactors could undermine not only renewable energy but also the economic viability of current nuclear plants, while creating astronomical stranded costs.
Moreover, including SMRs—technologies with limited commercialization experience and unproven economic feasibility—in the national plan carries significant risks of technical uncertainty and financial burden. A nuclear expansion strategy based solely on optimistic projections could, in the long term, undermine both energy transition and industrial competitiveness.
Therefore, it is essential for the new government to re-evaluate past nuclear-centered energy policies with a sober perspective on safety, economic feasibility, technological viability, and market potential.
This forum will serve as an important venue to derive a safe and sustainable energy policy direction aligned with the vision of a grand energy transition.
We sincerely invite your interest and participation.
[Event Overview]
[How to Attend]
[Program Schedule]
Opening Remarks & Congratulatory Address
Presentation 1
The Reality of the Global Nuclear Market(Byung-hwa Han, Executive Director, Eugene Investment & Securities)
Concerns and Alternatives for the New Government’s Nuclear Policy
(Kwang-hoon Seok, Senior Expert, Energy Transition Forum)
*Moderator: Prof. Soon-jin Yoon, Dean, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Seoul National University (Co-Chair, Energy Transition Forum)
Young-hee Kim, Representative, Sunflower Lawyers for a Nuclear-Free World
Jung-yoon Lee, Representative, Nuclear Safety and Future
Bu-il Kang, Director of Grid Operation, Korea Power Exchange
*Please note: The schedule may be subject to adjustments depending on on-site circumstances.
[Inquiries]
info@energytransitionkorea.org / 02-2633-1418