Won Hee-ryong: "Even Bill Gates says nuclear power is the solution... We face an unexpected nuclear phase-out obstacle"

"Nuclear Power is More Economical and Cleaner than Oil and Gas"
"A Sensible Government That Listens to Science Must Take Office"

Jeon Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju, is giving a greeting at the presentation of "The Lost 10 Years of Park Won-soon's Administration, a Promise for a New Leap" held at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on the 20th of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province, raised his voice on the 15th by citing the claim of Microsoft (MS) founder Bill Gates, saying, "We should pursue 'coal phase-out,' not 'nuclear phase-out.'"

On the same day, Won wrote on his Facebook, referring to Bill Gates' upcoming book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, stating, "Bill Gates emphasizes that 'nuclear power' is the solution (to the climate crisis)," and stressed, "Nuclear power is not only more economical compared to oil or gas but also a clean energy source with no greenhouse gas emissions."

In the book, which will be simultaneously published worldwide on the 16th, Bill Gates explains ways to achieve so-called 'net zero' (a state of zero greenhouse gas emissions) to prevent the global warming crisis. In particular, Bill Gates emphasized the importance of nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.

Regarding this, Governor Won pointed out, "Not only Bill Gates but also international climate organizations like the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the IPCC emphasize, based on scientific evidence, that countries capable of using nuclear power should expand its share to contribute to carbon neutrality," and criticized, "Despite this situation, nuclear power powerhouse South Korea is suffering a tragedy of self-harm due to the sudden nuclear phase-out ambush by the Moon Jae-in administration."

He continued, "Pushing forward illegally without reasonable grounds has led to investigations by the Board of Audit and Inspection and the prosecution," and pointed out, "Isn't South Korea weakening its nuclear capabilities through nuclear phase-out while even provoking suspicion that it intends to strengthen North Korea's nuclear capabilities by building nuclear power plants there?"

Microsoft founder Bill Gates. / Photo by Yonhap News

He then argued, "What we should pursue is 'coal phase-out,' not 'nuclear phase-out,'" adding, "That way, we can reduce fine dust and curb greenhouse gases. No matter how much Bill Gates emphasizes this, it will be like preaching to deaf ears for this administration, so ultimately, a sensible government that listens to science and prepares for the future must come to solve this issue."

Meanwhile, it was reported that Bill Gates held meetings last month with media from several countries in the Asia-Pacific region. According to multiple media reports, during the meetings, Bill Gates emphasized, "We must reduce the current annual greenhouse gas emissions of 51 billion tons to 'zero.'"

Bill Gates also urged industrialized countries to build additional nuclear power plants while emphasizing the safety of nuclear power. He claimed, "Today, nuclear power plants simulate everything in advance and are constructed accordingly, making them safer than any other power source for electricity supply."

Bill Gates also mentioned the nuclear power startup 'Terrapower,' which he founded in 2006.

He predicted, "The 4th generation nuclear reactors developed by Terrapower are physically impossible to overheat," and added, "Through the new type of reactors, people's minds toward nuclear reactors will open."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.