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"No Nuclear Phase-Out, Continued Use of Nuclear Power"

YU Junho
Input : 
2025-07-15 17:58:02
Updated : 
2025-07-15 21:06:46
사진설명
Kim Sung-hwan, the nominee for Minister of Environment, firmly stated during the confirmation hearing that he would not pursue a 'nuclear phase-out' policy. This is based on the need to balance the use of renewable energy and nuclear power in transitioning to a decarbonized society by minimizing the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

During the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 15th, Kim stated, "The transition to a carbon society is a very important task," and added, "I believe that reducing the intermittency of renewable energy and enhancing the safety of nuclear power while appropriately mixing the two should be the future energy policy." On that day, opposition party members focused on pointing out that Kim had previously taken the lead in advocating for a nuclear phase-out policy. They particularly highlighted that during his tenure as the head of Nowon District in Seoul under the Moon Jae-in administration, Kim had repeatedly expressed the stance that 'nuclear phase-out is the trend.'

In response, Kim remarked, "At that time, it was 2011 when the world was shocked by the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan," and clarified, "I have not advocated for a nuclear phase-out recently." He further stated, "During the Moon Jae-in administration, nuclear power plants that had reached the end of their design life were halted, but the Lee Jae-myung administration's position is that if safety is guaranteed, those nuclear power plants can continue to operate."

Kim also emphasized the necessity of establishing a 'Climate and Energy Ministry' to serve as the control tower for climate and energy policies. He said, "If I become the minister, I believe that discussing the Climate and Energy Ministry should be one of the top priorities."

Kim expressed his intention to review the climate response dam project promoted by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. He stated, "We will only push forward with what is absolutely necessary and seek understanding to halt what is not." The climate response dam is a project that the Ministry of Environment has been promoting since last year to respond to climate change issues such as floods and droughts.

[Reporter Yoo Jun-ho]