New South Korean president vows to end use of nuclear powerThe new President is a major change from his predecessors, both relatively left-leaning and anti-nuclear. Talks about the Fukushima disaster and what it would mean if it happened in South Korea.His campaign pledges included reducing nuclear power and coal use (South Korea is a big importer of US coal).
"Moon Jae-in said he would lead country towards a ‘nuclear-free era’ following fears of a Fukushima-style meltdown
Moon added that he would not extend the operation of ageing reactors, many of which will come to the end of their lifespans between 2020 and 2030.
Weaning South Korea off nuclear power, however, could take decades, and there is expected to be opposition from construction companies, which have increased technology exports under Moon’s nuclear-friendly predecessors. The country was the fifth-largest producer of nuclear energy last year, according to the World Nuclear Association, with its 25 reactors generating about a third of its electricity.
The former president Lee Myung-bak saw nuclear as an important source of clean energy, while Park wanted to increase the number of reactors to 36 by 2029. Moon recognised the role of nuclear power in South Korea’s rapid economic development, but added that Japan’s Fukushima disaster – which prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands of people – had convinced him that his country must look to new sources of energy.
The public’s support for nuclear power has weakened since the 2011 Fukushima meltdown and a 2013 corruption scandal over fake safety certificates for reactor parts.
He also plans to close at least 10 ageing coal-fired power plants before his term ends in 2022 and to boost renewables’ share of the energy mix to 20% by 2030"
Plans are for a big increase in hydro dams and the use of natural gas (more LNG imports in South East Asia). Even by 2030 though, coal and nuclear will provide 22% of the electricity supply each. So how much will this really reduce South Korea's carbon emissions, especially if we account for fugitive methane emissions from natural gas?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/19/new-south-korean-president-vows-to-end-use-of-nuclear-powerP.S. The South Korean "Train to Busan" is the best zombie movie I have seen.