Opposed to Nuclear Phase-out Policy
Around 70% of South Koreans are opposed to a nuclear power phase-out although the South Korean government is trying to replace nuclear power with new and renewable energy sources.
The Korea Nuclear Society (KNS) recently conducted a survey with Gallup Korea and released the result on Nov. 19. The telephone survey was conducted on Nov. 8-9 and 1,006 respondents aged 19 or older participated in it.
According to the KNS, 67.9% of the respondents answered that the proportion of nuclear power generation should be increased or maintained. For reference, the percentage was 69.3% in a similar survey in August.
More specifically, 16.9% answered that the proportion should be increased significantly, while another 18.5% said it needs to be increased slightly. Those who said it should be maintained at the present level accounted for 32.5%.
In contrast, 28.5% said that the proportion needs to be reduced. It was divided into 15.9% advocating a slight reduction and 12.6% advocating a significant reduction.
The survey showed 69.5% of South Koreans are in favor of nuclear power generation whereas 25% are against it. The ratio of the former answer amounted to 82.8% among those aged 60 or older.
Even among those in their 40s, which showed the lowest approval rating, the ratio was close to 60%. When it comes to those advocating a reduction in the proportion, only 6.7% answered that every nuclear power plant should be eliminated ultimately.
The survey found that 44% of the respondents preferred solar power generation, which was followed by nuclear power (34%) and wind power (10%).