Yoon Suk-yeol: "Nuclear Power Plants Are Not as Dangerous as Seen in Movies"

Meeting Nuclear Engineering Students at KAIST Daejeon
Dialogue with Nuclear Power Experts at Nearby Forum
Consistent 'No Response' to Political Questions Including Joining the People Power Party

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is meeting with students at KAIST in Eoeun-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon on the afternoon of the 6th to discuss opinions on the nuclear phase-out policy.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Jun-yi in Daejeon] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol visited the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and discussed the nuclear phase-out policy with students from the Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering. He stated, "Nuclear power is not as dangerously risky as portrayed in movies," and added, "The hasty nuclear phase-out policy must be reconsidered and changed." He also attended the 'Manmin Debate' held at a nearby pub, where he listened to experts on nuclear power.

On the 6th, Yoon visited the Mechanical Engineering Building at KAIST in Daejeon and met with young researchers engaged in nuclear-related research. He said, "Due to the sudden nuclear phase-out policy, many talented individuals who started their studies with patriotic dreams and hopes to contribute greatly to the country's industrial competitiveness have left, and young researchers are experiencing confusion and wandering. I heard many stories about their difficulties," adding, "Today, rather than a comprehensive review of the nuclear phase-out policy, I listened to the regrets and hardships young researchers face during their research process."

He stated, "Energy policy, including nuclear power, is a critical issue that deeply affects national industrial competitiveness and citizens' lives. Therefore, it should have undergone professional, long-term review and national consensus, and been implemented over time. The sudden implementation is problematic," and emphasized, "I believe the reckless and hasty nuclear phase-out policy must be reconsidered and changed."

Regarding nuclear energy, Yoon said, "It is not as dangerously risky as seen in movies," and explained, "We need to consider both the eco-friendly decarbonization aspect and the country's industrial competitiveness simultaneously." He pointed out issues such as fine dust emissions from countries with high nuclear dependency like France and from thermal power generation, stating, "I think experts' in-depth reviews should have been properly communicated to the entire public to achieve broad consensus and design and execute basic energy policies accordingly."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is meeting with students on the afternoon of the 6th at KAIST in Eoeun-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, discussing opinions on the nuclear phase-out policy.
Photo by Park Joon-yi

Earlier, Yoon met and conversed with three young nuclear-related researchers: Kim Ji-hee (34, researcher at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute), Jo Jae-wan (31, doctoral student at KAIST), and Koo Hyun-woo (26, master's student at KAIST).

Kim, who spoke first, shared experiences meeting mid-sized and small business representatives struggling due to the nuclear phase-out policy while working on design tasks at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. Kim said, "I heard many say they are so struggling that they might have to close their businesses," adding, "No matter how well the design is done, if reactors cannot be built, technicians cannot learn the technology, and companies cannot maintain equipment. I think the situation is serious, so I am opposing the nuclear phase-out movement."

Jo, a doctoral student, mentioned the issue of 'energy poverty.' He said, "The elderly poverty rate in our country is severe," and added, "Many people cannot freely use air conditioning in summer or electric blankets in winter." He continued, "I cannot agree with some nuclear phase-out groups' claims that electricity rates should be raised for the environment," stating, "My argument is that the cheapest nuclear power should be used to improve the quality of life for those in need and to suppress inflation."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol attended the 'All People Debate - The Paradox of Four Years of Moon Jae-in Administration's Nuclear Phase-out' held at a pub in Daejeon on the 6th, where he met with nuclear power experts.
Photo by Park Joon-yi

Following this, Yoon attended the 'Manmin Debate - The Paradox of Four Years of Moon Jae-in Administration's Nuclear Phase-Out' held at a nearby pub, meeting nuclear-related experts. Participants included Jo, who attended the previous discussion, Ko Beom-gyu, Policy Secretary of the Fact and Science Network, Yang Jae-young, former senior researcher at Korea Electric Power Technology, and Lee Jong-ho, former researcher at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

Before the debate, Yoon said, "I came to KAIST to see the students and heard about the Manmin Debate, so I stopped by briefly," emphasizing again, "I think the wrong policy must be normalized by gathering public opinion." At a press meeting, he said, "I think the nuclear power share in total energy should be maintained to some extent, but the sudden push for nuclear phase-out is problematic," criticizing the speed of the nuclear phase-out policy.

Meanwhile, after the event, Yoon avoided answering political questions such as joining the People Power Party, contacts with former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, and ruling party attacks, saying, "I have no position," and "I have already spoken." Regarding reports of a planned meeting with Kim, when asked if anything was decided, he replied, "No."

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