Ahead of the Presidential Election, Moon Mentions 'Nuclear Phase-Out' and 'Health Insurance Finances'... Opposition Says "Now?" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in emphasized the legitimacy of the government's 'nuclear phase-out' policy while stating, "Nuclear power should be utilized as the main baseload power source for the next 60 years." The opposition criticized this, saying, "Now suddenly, nuclear power is the main power source."

President Moon also addressed claims from some quarters about the "deterioration and insolvency of health insurance finances," calling them "remarks made without proper understanding," effectively targeting the opposition party.

On the 25th, during a meeting at the Blue House to review global energy supply chain issues, President Moon explained the reasons for the 'nuclear phase-out' policy: "Despite the advantages of nuclear power as an energy source, South Korea has the highest density of nuclear plants in the world, concentrated in specific regions, making it difficult to bear the damage if an accident occurs. Therefore, transitioning the energy mix is inevitable."

Nevertheless, he added, "For the approximately 60 years during which nuclear power will continue to operate, it must be sufficiently utilized as the main baseload power source," and requested that Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2 and Shin Kori Units 5 and 6 be inspected to enable their phased normal operation as soon as possible.

The meeting was held to assess the current status of domestic nuclear power plants amid rising global energy supply chain instability due to the Ukraine crisis, aiming to expand a stable power supply foundation.

With Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) recording a record deficit of 5.8601 trillion won last year due to frozen electricity rates, concerns have been raised that the deficit could widen further if oil prices rise because of the Ukraine crisis. In this context, nuclear power, which can supply electricity cheaply and stably, is gaining attention.

President Moon also stated, "Countries that need nuclear power highly value Korea's technology and experience and hope to import our nuclear power plants," adding, "Exporting nuclear power is only natural." This appears to be a remark made with the opposition's criticism in mind, which accused the Moon administration of promoting 'nuclear phase-out' domestically while exporting nuclear technology abroad.

Particular attention is also focused on the background of President Moon making such remarks just 12 days before the presidential election.

Hwang Gyu-hwan, spokesperson for the People Power Party's presidential campaign headquarters, said, "When we urged them to abandon the nuclear phase-out policy, they didn't even listen, but now, with the Ukraine crisis setting their backs on fire, they suddenly say 'nuclear power is the main power source,'" adding, "Are they unwilling to admit failure and quietly retreating because the nuclear phase-out policy is about to be judged in the presidential election?"

President Moon also expressed his views on the health insurance financial situation through social networking services (SNS) on the same day. He said, "Remarks about the deterioration or insolvency of health insurance finances are made without proper understanding," and stated, "Last year, the health insurance financial balance recorded a surplus of more than 2.8 trillion won, with accumulated reserves exceeding 20.2 trillion won."

He added, "This amount is greater than when our government took office," and said, "Despite significantly expanding expenditures by strongly promoting 'strengthening health insurance coverage,' also known as Moon Jae-in Care, which greatly reduces the medical expenses burden on the people as a flagship policy of our government, the health insurance financial situation has rather improved."

President Moon's sudden remarks also seem to be made with the opposition's criticism in mind. The opposition has continuously criticized 'Moon Jae-in Care' for worsening health insurance finances, and Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, raised issues about foreign nationals' health insurance on the 30th of last month, saying, "They are just putting a spoon on a well-prepared table."

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