Government Includes Nuclear Power in 'K-Taxonomy'... Deadline for Securing Radioactive Waste Disposal Site Excluded

Ministry of Environment "Strengthening Competitiveness in Nuclear Power Plant Exports"

Seoul Nuclear Power Headquarters Shingori Units 3 and 4 Overview

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The Yoon Seok-yeol administration has included nuclear power in the "Korean Green Taxonomy (K-Taxonomy)." This marks a change nine months after the exclusion of nuclear power from the K-Taxonomy during the Moon Jae-in administration at the end of last year. The Ministry of Environment plans to achieve "carbon neutrality by 2050" by increasing the utilization rates of renewable energy and nuclear power.

On the 20th, the Ministry of Environment announced a revised draft of the Korean Green Taxonomy that includes nuclear power. Three economic activities related to nuclear power were newly added to the green taxonomy: ▲research, development, and demonstration of core nuclear technologies ▲new construction of nuclear power plants ▲continued operation of nuclear power plants. The "K-Taxonomy," divided into "green sector" and "transition sector," sets principles and standards for economic activities that contribute to environmental goals such as greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation.

"Research, development, and demonstration of core nuclear technologies" was established to improve the safety of nuclear power plants and secure national nuclear technology competitiveness. This includes future nuclear technologies requiring mid- to long-term R&D such as Small Modular Reactors (SMR), next-generation nuclear power plants, and nuclear fusion. Technologies for safety enhancement, such as the use of Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) and radioactive waste management, are also reflected.

"New construction of nuclear power plants" and "continued operation of nuclear power plants" apply to facilities that have received permits for new construction or continued operation until 2045, on the condition of preventing environmental damage and ensuring safety.

However, the Ministry of Environment did not specify a concrete year for securing high-level radioactive waste disposal facilities. Cho Hyun-soo, Director of the Green Transition Policy Division at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "We included the enactment of laws for the implementation of detailed plans as an additional condition to ensure timely securing of high-level radioactive waste disposal facilities."

The Ministry of Environment also specified that the latest technical standards and Accident Tolerant Fuel must be applied to "new construction of nuclear power plants." For "continued operation of nuclear power plants," Accident Tolerant Fuel must be applied starting in 2031. The introduction of ATF is promoted by setting 2031, the earliest commercialization date according to domestic R&D schedules, as the target year.

After releasing this draft, the Ministry of Environment plans to finalize the plan through a process of gathering additional opinions from experts, civil society, industry, and related government departments. Accordingly, the Ministry will hold a public hearing for citizens on the 6th of next month at EL Tower in Yangjae, Seoul.

Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment, said, "Including nuclear power economic activities in the Korean Green Taxonomy will be an opportunity to enhance the safety and environmental friendliness of nuclear power." She added, "We expect it to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 through the harmonious use of renewable energy and nuclear power."

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