NSSC, a Variable for 'Nuclear Phase-Out Reversal'... "May Not Be Able to Touch Continuous Operation for 2 Years"

KINS as a Key Variable in Yoon's Nuclear Policy... Approval of Continued Operation Crucial
Chairman Yoo Guk-hee Has 2 Years Left in Term... 4 out of 7 Members Favoring Nuclear Phase-Out
Criticism of a "Tilted Committee"... Transition Team Urges "Rebirth"
Current Law Guarantees 3-Year Term... Organizational Reform Possible Only with KINS Act Amendment

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) has emerged as a key variable in the next government's nuclear power policy. This is because some members of the NSSC, formed under the current government's nuclear phase-out policy, still have more than two years left in their terms. Since the NSSC is the body that gives the final approval for domestic nuclear power-related permits and procedures, there are concerns that the new government's nuclear policy may not gain momentum.

According to related ministries on the 13th, the term of NSSC Chairperson Yoo Guk-hee, who took office at the end of last year, lasts until December 2024. The NSSC Chairperson is a political appointee appointed by the president with a basic term of three years. Among the nine core members of the NSSC, including Chairperson Yoo, five have terms lasting until 2024.

The problem is that all the key NSSC personnel, including Chairperson Yoo, whose terms last until 2024, are not free from the nuclear phase-out policy. The Moon Jae-in administration appointed most of the NSSC members besides the chairperson. According to the "Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission," the president has the authority to appoint the NSSC chairperson, the NSSC secretariat chief, and three of the seven non-standing members. Of the remaining four non-standing members, two were recommended by the Democratic Party of Korea.

Given this situation, there is an analysis that the Yoon Seok-yeol administration will find it difficult to swiftly push forward the "abolition of nuclear phase-out." This is because the NSSC must give the final approval for the next government's nuclear policies, such as the continued operation of nuclear power plants and the resumption of construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4. Considering that seven of the nine core NSSC members were appointed under the current government's policy, it is unlikely that the new government's nuclear policies, which directly contradict the phase-out policy, will be smoothly approved.

The next government is not unaware of this. This is why President-elect Yoon pledged to secure the NSSC's independence and expertise. In fact, the only nuclear expert within the NSSC is Commissioner Lee Byung-ryeong, who was appointed in 2019 upon recommendation from the then-opposition Liberty Korea Party. There have been continuous criticisms that four of the seven NSSC commissioners are proponents of the nuclear phase-out, making the commission "tilted." This provides sufficient justification for organizational reform. The Presidential Transition Committee recently urged the NSSC to "be reborn."

However, there are limits to the new government leading a reorganization of the NSSC. Current law guarantees the terms of the chairperson and commissioners, making a full overhaul impossible unless they voluntarily resign. Given the recent controversy over the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's so-called "blacklist," which allegedly pressured the resignation of heads of power generation public enterprises to align with the phase-out policy, the new government could face backlash if it indirectly or directly recommends resignations.

Yoo Guk-hee, Chairperson of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, is speaking at the 155th Nuclear Safety and Security Commission held on the 25th of last month. [Photo by Nuclear Safety and Security Commission]

That does not mean there are no options. If the next government amends the NSSC Act under the pretext of securing the NSSC's independence and expertise, the terms of the chairperson and others would automatically end. The NSSC's stance that it should be reorganized as a presidential agency also strengthens the need for legal amendments. However, in a political landscape where the ruling party holds fewer seats than the opposition, it is highly likely that the NSSC Act amendment bill will fail to pass the National Assembly without the Democratic Party's consent.

The political sphere is also closely monitoring the situation. A People Power Party official said, "The NSSC could be the biggest variable in the continued operation of nuclear power plants," adding, "Whether Gori Unit 2, whose design life ends in April next year, can continue operation without a gap depends on the NSSC's approval."

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