South Korea selects sites for new nuclear reactors, reversing phase-out policy

South Korea is set to expand its nuclear power capacity with the selection of new reactor sites, a move that signals a significant policy shift from the previous administration's nuclear phase-out agenda. The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced on Wednesday that Yeongdeok County in North Gyeongsang Province has been chosen for two large-scale nuclear reactors, each with a maximum output of 1.4 gigawatts. Additionally, Gijang County in Busan will host a small modular reactor (SMR) with an output of 0.7 gigawatts.

The site selection process involved a thorough review of suitability, environmental impact, construction feasibility, and community acceptance, with Yeongdeok scoring 91.01 points and Gijang scoring 87.11. This marks the first time in 14 years that a completely new region has been designated for a nuclear reactor, with Yeongdeok's project reviving a plan that was suspended in 2018 due to the Moon Jae-in administration's nuclear phase-out policy.

The new conventional reactors will be South Korea's 33rd and 34th. Currently, 26 reactors are operational, with four more under construction. The selection of Yeongdeok, rather than expanding existing complexes, establishes a new nuclear power site. Gijang, already home to the Kori nuclear power plant, offers established infrastructure for the SMR project.

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Yeongdeok received high marks in the resident response survey as well as the areas concerning site suitability and environmental impact. Gijang also earned relatively high scores in the resident response survey and site suitability.