Page 28 - 8th

외고2018-웹용.qxp_Layout 1 2018. 6. 23. 오후 3:04 페이지 28

Ⅲ Social Issues

Moon Administration to Back Abolishment of Nuclear

Power Regardless of Imminent Poll Results

The government recently an-
nounced policies to continue to
abolish all nuclear plants in Korea
and renounce nuclear power as a

reliable energy source, regardless
of the upcoming results of public
opinion polls on nuclear power and
its abolishment. The public opinion
committee on the abolishment of
Shin-Gori nuclear plants, consisting
of 9 members, reaches its conclu-

sion on October 27th on whether to
renounce nuclear power or not. Re-
gardless of the outcome, the Blue
House seems determined to steamroll its initial idea to put an end to nuclear power once and for all.
Once the abolishment is certified and poll results turn out for the best according with the view of the gov-
ernment, there will be no stopping getting rid of existing power plants, even the new Shin-Gori plants
number 5 and 6.
The KHNP has shut down the current progression of the construction of the aforesaid nuclear plants for
3 months, decided by an executive committee. This was a never-before-seen incident where government

and company alike have altogether stopped all progress in the construction of a nuclear facility. This
abrupt and somewhat discreet conclusion may have counted the voice of the government so strongly
opposed to nuclear power development, but consequently this maneuver evoked strong disapproval
from labor unions and elicited negative remarks from professionals. “Progressing the opinion poll while
stopping all construction indicates that this scenario is going along a laid-out route,” voiced professor
Bumjin Jeong of Kyeung-hi University. “The situation has progressed where the ones responsible are
not taking the credit for this situation but instead pushing the load onto the weak and unprofessional.”

Voices of concern for such a swift change and little backup are rising among professionals and non-pro-
fessionals alike.
Such situations are providing no assistance to resolving public frustration, and the debate is fierce all
over the nation. Strong and prominent voices reprimanded the government for acting too rashly, criticizing
the Moon Administration’s decision to renounce unique nuclear-related technology accumulated over 60
years. 60 years of an undisturbed nuclear energy technology means a lot to a country with no visible

28