The South Korean government is deeply studying the proposal to include more than four new nuclear power units in its draft 11th Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand Basic Plan. The decision signals a renewed emphasis on nuclear energy in South Korea's power supply. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) plans to release the draft in February 2024 and finalize the official version in the first half of 2024.

Since the last electricity supply and demand plan (the seventh plan), South Korea has not drawn up a nuclear power construction plan for nine years. Therefore, the new plan, once implemented, will inject new vitality into the development of nuclear power in South Korea. Nuclear power has long been a controversial topic in South Korea, but the government sees it as a key factor in achieving energy security and reducing carbon emissions.

The South Korean government's policy to restore the nuclear ecosystem faces challenges, mainly because the 10th electricity supply and demand plan does not include plans for new nuclear power. This also means that Yin's government has some difficulties to overcome in restoring the nuclear ecosystem. Despite this, the South Korean government is still actively promoting the development and deployment of modular small reactors (SMR), hoping to complete the construction of the "first small reactor" by 2030.

Modular small reactor is a new type of nuclear reactor with smaller scale and higher safety. The South Korean government believes that this small reactor technology can be the future direction of nuclear energy development, because it can reduce construction and operating costs, while improving the safety and reliability of nuclear energy.

In general, the South Korean government's attitude toward the development of nuclear power is positive. Despite some challenges and difficulties, the government remains committed to promoting the development of nuclear energy through a new long-term electricity supply and demand plan. This decision could have a profound impact on South Korea's energy future, as well as on the global development of nuclear energy. Editor/Wentao Xing