2026-09-22 · contested story

Korea Revives Public Debate on New Nuclear Plants After Nine Years

South Korea has reopened a public debate over building new nuclear power plants after roughly nine years of nuclear phase-out policy under former President Moon Jae-in. The trigger is a combination of surging electricity demand from semiconductor, electric-vehicle, and AI data-center growth, plus energy-security anxieties. In September 2026, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment launched a three-month citizens' jury deliberation on nuclear power's role before finalizing the 12th Basic Power Supply Plan (Chosun Biz), while by January 2026 the government had decided to proceed with two new large reactors by 2038 and deploy an SMR by 2035 under the 11th Basic Power Supply Plan (Korea Herald). This revival is intertwined with a massive US investment package involving nuclear reactor construction and a Westinghouse stake (Reuters, Chosun Ilbo, Miami Herald).

How each side frames it

left
"But the investment pouring into nuclear power might come at the cost of other renewable energy efforts, with the ministry saying its renewable targets would be “re-established.”"
"Construction on the two reactors has been stalled since 2017, when former President Moon Jae-in – who had pushed hard to phase out nuclear energy – took office."
"“Due to the excessive push on nuclear phase-out, our world’s best nuclear technology has been devastated,” Yoon said in a Facebook post in February ahead of the election, adding that he wanted to “build a nuclear powerhouse.”"
"The use of nuclear power came into question around the world after the meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant, following a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011."
"Seoul and Washington are discussing the construction of up to eight large nuclear reactors in the United States."
center
"“While it would be ideal to rely entirely on renewable energy, Korea’s reality as an isolated power grid makes that extremely difficult,” Kim said during Monday's briefing, stressing that nuclear power remains unavoidable."
"Despite the show of public support, critics argue that the consultation process lacked depth."
"This round of deliberation moves away from a yes-or-no question on building new nuclear plants. The plan is to discuss comprehensively the role of nuclear power as one of several options to meet future electricity demand."
"As electricity demand is rising quickly with the growth of the semiconductor and electric vehicle industries, the aim is to hear broad public opinion on the role of nuclear power while having to achieve both stable electricity supply and carbon neutrality."
"Nearly 90 percent of respondents said nuclear power is necessary, while more than 60 percent supported proceeding with the reactor construction plan under the 11th roadmap."
right
"Moon's obstinate bid to close all nuclear plants in South Korea has pushed its world-leading nuclear industry to the brink of collapse."
"His remarks are baffling. It is questionable if Moon is trying to deflect criticisms of his failed policy as the presidential election approaches."
"The [Iran war] is underscoring the vulnerability of Asia’s energy supplies, raising the sense of urgency about finding alternatives to oil and gas in Southeast Asia, analysts say."
"“Nuclear is an alternative solution that can give us more self-reliance in terms of energy.”"
"The result is something once unthinkable: a serious national debate over whether South Korea needs its own nuclear weapons. This is no longer a fringe idea."

What each side left out

The left left out — covered by the The Korea Herald & Chosun Biz
The left left out — covered by the The Korea Herald
The center left out — covered by the Yonhap News Agency
The center left out — covered by the CNN
The right left out — covered by the The Korea Herald
The right left out — covered by the Chosun Biz

What's actually true?

[verified] South Korea's government launched a roughly three-month citizens' jury deliberation on the role of nuclear power before drawing up the 12th Basic Power Supply Plan.
[verified] The government decided to proceed with two large nuclear reactors (2.8 GW combined) for completion in 2037 and 2038, plus a 0.7 GW SMR by 2035, under the 11th Basic Power Supply Plan.
[verified] Construction on two reactors at the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant had been stalled since 2017 under President Moon Jae-in, and was restarted in 2022.
[verified] A nationwide survey found nearly 90% of respondents said nuclear power is necessary and more than 60% supported proceeding with reactor construction.
[verified] Seoul and Washington are discussing construction of up to eight large nuclear reactors in the US (six AP1000, two APR1400), plus a 5-10% Korean stake in Westinghouse.
[verified] The Moon administration's carbon-neutrality plan aimed to reduce nuclear's share of the energy mix from 29% in 2020 to 6.1% by 2050.
[verified] Around 25 domestic nuclear power plants provide about a third of South Korea's electricity needs.
[verified] President Lee Jae Myung called for a review of the 11th plan after taking office in June, citing insufficient public input.

The narrative clash

Whether nuclear power is safe and cheap
Left: In a ceremony to mark the permanent suspension of the Kori 1 nuclear reactor... Moon said nuclear energy was neither safe nor cheap nor environment friendly.
Right: he may have belatedly recognized the advantages to nuclear energy such as a stable power supply at low cost, with energy supply concerns mounting over the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Whether public consultation was adequate
Left: Nearly 90 percent of respondents said nuclear power is necessary, while more than 60 percent supported proceeding with the reactor construction plan
Right: critics argue that the consultation process lacked depth. Observers noted that policy forums focused largely on technical issues... rather than broader concerns such as radioactive waste management and safety risks.

33 sources analyzed

Voice of America (VOA) CNN Chosun Biz Defense News Bloomberg The Korea Herald The Wall Street Journal Miami Herald Yonhap News Agency (YNA) Deutsche Welle The Damage Report Fox News National Review Boston Herald The Chosun Ilbo New York Post Boston Herald Fox News New York Post The Federalist The Daily Signal Reuters National Review Richmond Times-Dispatch Fox News Boston Herald New York Post Newsmax Boston Herald National Review Richmond Times-Dispatch Newsmax Richmond Times-Dispatch

Perspectivity reads the coverage — not just who published it.

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