The Light and Shadow of Nuclear Energy

Fear of Radiation vs. A Core Energy Source

Following the massive earthquake in Japan, a horrific accident occurred in which a nuclear power plant exploded, releasing radioactive materials. Reports of radiation exposure and the detection of radioactive iodine in tap water quickly intensified public concern. Under such circumstances, it is only natural that debates over nuclear safety and fears of radiation have grown stronger.

However, the reality is that nuclear power cannot simply be rejected. It remains one of the core energy sources supplying electricity to our society.

South Korea’s Nuclear Technology Reaching the World

South Korea’s history of nuclear power generation began in earnest in 1955 with the signing of a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States. This was followed by the establishment of the Atomic Energy Research Institute in 1959, and in 1963, the operation of a research reactor laid the foundation for nuclear technology in Korea.

Commercial nuclear power generation began in 1978 with the commissioning of Kori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1. At the time, construction was carried out under a turnkey contract led entirely by foreign companies, making South Korea the world’s 21st country to operate nuclear power plants.

The two oil shocks of the mid-1970s highlighted the importance of energy security and further strengthened national commitment to nuclear power development. With continuous government support, a total of 21 nuclear power plants have been constructed to date.

Alongside the expansion of nuclear plant construction, domestic nuclear technology advanced significantly. Rather than relying solely on technology transfer, Korea invested steadily in its own research and development. As a result, Uljin Unit 6, completed in 2005, was built entirely with indigenous technology. In late 2009, South Korea secured a USD 40 billion contract to build nuclear power plants in the United Arab Emirates, marking a major milestone in its entry into the global nuclear market.

Today, South Korea is actively pursuing nuclear power exports to Southeast Asia and other regions, and its nuclear technology is widely recognized for its global competitiveness.

The Disaster of Nuclear Power: “Fear of Radiation”

According to a public perception survey conducted by the Korea Nuclear Culture Foundation, 88.4% of respondents stated that nuclear power generation is necessary. This reflects a positive shift in public awareness regarding the necessity and safety of nuclear energy following the UAE nuclear contract.

However, after the nuclear accident in Japan, fear of radiation has resurged, leading to a renewed spread of negative perceptions toward nuclear power.

The greatest drawback of nuclear power generation is the sheer scale of damage that can occur in the event of an accident. Because nuclear energy inevitably involves radiation, any failure can have devastating consequences for human life and the environment.

The 1979 Three Mile Island accident in the United States, the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in the former Soviet Union, and the recent Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan clearly demonstrate that fears of radiation are not exaggerated.

The disposal of radioactive waste is another major challenge. Spent nuclear fuel and low-level radioactive waste generated after power production require enormous costs and long periods for management and disposal. To this day, no disposal method has been proven to be completely safe. In addition, nuclear power plants involve high initial investment and construction costs.

A Stable and Affordable “Green Energy Source”

Despite these limitations, nuclear power generation offers clear advantages.

First, it provides an economical and stable supply of electricity. Fuel costs for nuclear power are extremely low, resulting in lower generation costs compared to other power sources. Even during periods of severe cold waves, heavy snowfall, or geopolitical instability in the Middle East, nuclear power has enabled relatively stable energy supply.

Second, nuclear power contributes to addressing environmental challenges. Global warming and abnormal climate events are largely caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use. Thermal power plants emit 40 to 100 times more greenhouse gases than nuclear power plants. In contrast, nuclear power produces virtually no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, making it one of the most practical forms of clean energy available.

Third, fuel supply is stable. Uranium, the fuel used in nuclear power generation, is relatively evenly distributed around the world, and major supplier countries are generally politically and economically stable. Only a small amount of fuel is required for long-term use, making stockpiling easy. Moreover, fuel costs account for only about 2.5% of total generation costs.

“Safety” and “Trust”

When considering economic efficiency, environmental impact, and supply stability, nuclear power remains an important energy source for South Korea. In a country with limited natural resources, nuclear energy has played a crucial role in energy security and economic growth.

That said, following the Fukushima accident, nuclear power faces a serious crisis of public trust. Rather than remaining trapped in vague fear, this moment should be used as an opportunity to further strengthen safety management systems. Existing nuclear plants must undergo thorough inspections, and emergency response manuals and power grid systems should be reinforced more systematically.

For new nuclear power plants, seismic design standards must be enhanced, and above all, transparency and public trust must be secured through open and honest information disclosure. Since nuclear power issues transcend national borders, international cooperation is essential to share accident data and continuously improve safety standards.

In the wake of the Fukushima disaster, positive public sentiment toward nuclear power may remain subdued for some time. However, in the long term, safety systems will continue to advance, and technological capabilities will improve. For a country like South Korea, which produces no oil of its own, the safe use of nuclear energy is an unavoidable challenge.

Now is the time to draw lessons from this accident and bring together collective wisdom to develop practical measures that enhance the safety of nuclear power generation.