South Korean President Moon Jae-in reiterated his plans to phase out nuclear-generated electricity, following a public opinion survey that dealt a blow to his plans to do so.
“We will completely stop all plans for the construction of new nuclear reactors like the government previously stated,” Moon said Sunday in a statement.
“The government will also step up usage of natural gas and renewables in order to maintain its stance of phasing out nuclear-generated power.”
The announcement from Moon comes following a recent public opinion survey that found that almost 60 percent of Koreans were in favor of resuming stalled construction of two reactors.
Moon also confirmed his plan to shut down Wolsong No. 1 nuclear reactor, the nation’s second-oldest.
South Korea’s 24 nuclear reactors supply a third of the country’s electricity.
