Nuclear power is an essential alternative to address the energy shortages and greenhouse gas emissions of modern society. However, some people tend to avoid nuclear power due to its environmental risks. This raises the question of whether such a choice would be beneficial to Korea’s energy security and economic development.
The modern world is developing rapidly, providing us with many conveniences. Advances in information and communication technology, improved transportation, and medical breakthroughs have all greatly improved our standard of living. However, these advances have not always had positive consequences. The dark side of this rapid development is the environmental problems we face and the depletion of energy resources. In particular, electricity shortages are becoming a serious problem every year as the demand for electricity skyrockets, causing inconvenience to many people. Rising temperatures and extreme weather due to global warming is also one of the major problems that threaten humanity’s sustainable development.
As a highly efficient and non-polluting energy source, nuclear energy has been proposed as a good alternative to solve these problems. In Korea, nuclear power is responsible for a significant amount of energy production, and its economic benefits are considerable. However, after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011, the public’s anxiety about nuclear power has increased dramatically due to the nuclear scandal. In this situation, the 7th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, which includes the construction of two additional nuclear power plants, was announced, causing great controversy among the public.
To understand the severity of the energy problem, it is necessary to first look at the trends and status of the energy market in Korea and abroad. Currently, Korea’s energy and electricity consumption ranks eighth in the world, and oil and coal account for the largest share of primary energy supply. However, this fossil fuel-centric energy supply structure is causing a number of problems. In recent years, major countries such as the EU, Japan, and the US have prioritized investments in the energy efficiency market, and research on highly efficient energy sources has been actively conducted in line with this trend. In this situation, Korea’s energy supply structure, which relies on coal and oil, is not in line with the global market trend, and in the long run, it may reduce Korea’s competitiveness.
The case of Germany illustrates this problem. Since its nuclear-free declaration, Germany has increased the share of fossil fuels such as coal in its energy supply, but as a result, it is experiencing side effects such as rising electricity prices. This case demonstrates that fossil fuels are a less efficient way to generate electricity compared to nuclear power, and if Korea abandons nuclear power and relies on thermal power, it is likely to cause huge economic losses. Furthermore, the long-term use of fossil fuels can exacerbate environmental problems. The volatility of international oil and petroleum prices can cause economic damage, while uranium, the resource for nuclear power, is evenly distributed around the world, providing a stable energy supply.
The importance of nuclear power is not just limited to its economic efficiency. Currently, Korea’s greenhouse gas emissions are very high, ranking seventh in the world and fourth among OECD countries. When looking at GHG emissions by energy source, coal accounts for 43.9%, oil for 35.3%, and gas for 20.3%. These data clearly show the negative environmental impact of fossil fuel use. Nuclear power, on the other hand, is a technology that emits almost no greenhouse gases in the process of power generation, and the construction of additional nuclear power plants will effectively contribute to reducing Korea’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Some may argue that we should utilize more renewable energy instead of nuclear power to solve environmental problems. However, if we analyze Korea’s renewable energy potential, we can see that it is very difficult to achieve a stable power supply. For example, wind power is only available in certain areas, and geothermal and wave power have very narrow coverage due to geographical restrictions. Solar power is highly dependent on the weather, which makes it difficult to provide reliable power, and its efficiency is still low. Biomass technology is limited in terms of environmental protection, as it produces a higher percentage of greenhouse gas emissions than oil or coal.
In this context, nuclear power gains importance as the only reliable and greenhouse gas-free alternative. Furthermore, the construction of additional nuclear power plants can have a significant positive impact on Korea’s economy. In developing countries such as India, the demand for highly efficient energy is very high and interest in nuclear power is steadily increasing. In Europe, more and more countries are aiming to reduce their carbon emissions, which is increasingly driving demand for nuclear technology.
The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that the nuclear power technology market will reach $7.4 trillion over the next decade. Countries such as Russia and China, which are actively participating in this market, are gaining an advantage in the global market by exporting nuclear power-related technologies, which not only helps them gain economic benefits but also strengthens diplomatic relations. Thus, the development and export of nuclear technology will be an important factor that can bring economic and diplomatic benefits to Korea as well.
Many people may remember the massive blackout that occurred in September 2011. This event highlighted the reality of Korea’s rapidly increasing energy demand and electricity consumption. Of course, efforts to reduce unnecessary energy consumption are important and should be prioritized in the long term. However, the reality is that simply reducing consumption is not enough to solve the energy shortage problem. Research and investment in nuclear energy, a highly efficient source of energy, is already underway in many countries around the world and is generating significant economic benefits. By continuing to invest in nuclear power, Korea will be able to solve the energy shortage problem and strengthen its competitiveness in the global market.
In conclusion, nuclear power is more than just a means of providing energy; it is an important resource that offers economic, environmental, and diplomatic benefits. If we shun nuclear power because it is dangerous, we are giving up on solving Korea’s energy shortage. There is no substitute for nuclear energy with current technology, so it is in our best interest to continue to invest in nuclear energy while developing alternative technologies.
