All of us were shocked after seeing the destruction of the Fukushima nuclear power plant from tsunami in 2011. Japan halted all of its nuclear power policies immediately after the incident. Yet it recently began to reactivated some of their power plants, provoking anger from Japanese citizens and activists. 

Despite the ever-going battle and controversy, there is no doubt that nuclear energy is one of the most important means of electricity production. It produces massive amounts of energy, with little greenhouse emission. However, there is one fatal flaw to nuclear energy-the endless threat of radiation. 

Korea, a country with a relatively long history of nuclear power generation, has persisted its nuclear policy despite strong opposition after the accident at Fukushima power plant. It has also produced massive amounts of nuclear waste since its first nuclear production in 1972. However, there has not been any storage or disposal site for these nuclear waste until now.

Recently, KHNP(Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Company), the operator of all the nuclear plants in Korea started construction of Korea?s first nuclear waste disposal site in Gyeongju. Although local residents strongly opposed the construction, KHNP persisted the project. However, the project is now facing the strongest opposition ever after a magnitude 3.5 earthquake struck the area last week. 

Considering the fact that disposal sites will contain nuclear waste, the earthquake caused deep worries not only for local residents but Koreans all over the country. In a situation which everyone is sensitive to radioactive accidents, the earthquake and the nuclear waste facility project is one of the hottest topics nowadays.

So a few days ago, I visited the planned disposal site to research more about the situation. To find out more about it, look forward to my next article about the trip!