South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday vowed to quickly restart the construction of Shin Kori 5 and 6 nuclear reactors and stay true to his nuclear phase-out policy with respect to the recommendation from a civilian-led commission.

“To oblige with the commission findings, we will strengthen reactor safety guidelines, transparency in maintenance to prevent industry corruption, and monitoring and research on seismic activities,” the president said upon being briefed about the three-month commission activities and findings.

Going nuclear-free had been Moon’s campaign promise. He vowed to wean the country off nuclear power that is responsible for a third of the electricity supply by decommissioning aged reactors and halting new constructions. He formed an independent commission to canvass public opinion on his proposal to suspend the construction of Shin Kori 5 and 6 reactors that had been 30 percent complete amid controversy about economic costs and risk of ruining the nuclear industry.

A panel of 471 civilians voted in favor of finishing off the construction but advised the government to address safety concerns. Although the commission’s role was restricted to gauging public opinion on the fate of Shin Kori 5 and 6 reactors, the panelists also voted on the government’s nuclear-free policy, where more than half approved of reducing the number of reactors.

Moon said the government will keep to its phase-out policy. The government will cancel all new projects and shutter the second oldest reactor Wolsong 1, whose operation was extended after its design life ended in 2012, if it is sure of stability in energy supply.

Under his term, four new reactors would go into operation, he added.

By Kang Gye-man, Seok Min-soo and Lee Ha-yeon

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]