South Korea’s Nuclear Future is a New Election Battleground
- Moon’s anti-nuclear policy is being re-evaluated by candidates
- South Korean presidential election is scheduled for March 9
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South Korea’s leading presidential candidates are offering diverging visions on the future for nuclear power, though both agree the nation must soften its plans to phase out the power source to meet climate targets.
The front-runner Lee Jae-myung from the ruling Democratic Party doesn’t want any new atomic plants, but is open to operating reactors that are currently under construction. Lee’s top contender Yoon Seok-yeol from the opposition People Power Party, on the other hand, wants nuclear to account for 30% of total energy generation, reversing President Moon Jae-in’s plans to gradually ditch reactors.