A few months ago, I wrote an article on Earthquakes and Radioactive Waste. It was about the construction and opening of a nuclear waste disposal site near Gyeongju. In this report, I would like to talk about a hot debate on a nuclear power plant right next to the disposal site, the Wolsong power plant.

           The Wolsong power plant is one of four nuclear power plants that are currently in operation in Korea. It is somewhat unique compared to the other three plants as it is the only power plant that runs on a system called CANDU(CANada Deuterium Uranium). Furthermore, the plant takes up about 5% of Korea's total electricity production.

           The center of the debate is the oldest reactor in this power plant, the Wolsong-1. It started its operation in 1983, and is also one of the oldest reactors in the country. It was originally planned to stop its operations in 2012, but KHNP, the operator of the power plant, has extended its operation since then. They argue that it is one of the most successful and economic nuclear power plant not only in Korea but the globe, boasting a utility rate close to 90% even 30 years after its start of operation.

           Nonetheless, numerous environmental groups as well as local residents have been demanding the shutdown of the reactor, concerned that the reactor is too old to meet current safety standards. They also argue that an accident similar to the one at Fukushima, Japan could happen anywhere, and that the Wolsong-1 is no exception.

           Yet KHNP has kept its stance that the Wolsong-1 has gone through enough renovations, and is safe enough to keep operating. They also argue that the reactors are much more efficient than other types of electricity generation such as those based on coal or natural gases. They claim that nuclear energy is not only economic, but also provides much more energy with much less CO2 emissions.

           Although it is true that nuclear power has its benefits including efficiency as well as relatively less impact on the environment, KHNP should always remember that nuclear pollution can last for millenniums and that we can never undo the catastrophes brought by nuclear reactor meltdowns.