South Korea¡¯s presidential front-runner Lee Jae-myung has pledged to keep nuclear power ¡°for the time being,¡± but plans a long-term shift to renewables if elected on Tuesday ¡ª a stance that could undermine the nation¡¯s atomic energy expansion plans at home and abroad.
Lee, a member of the opposition Democratic Party, unveiled an ¡°energy expressway¡± policy framework that relies on renewables, such as offshore wind, to supply industrial hubs. His strategy calls for phasing out coal by 2040, curbing consumption of natural gas, and forming a ministry tasked with meeting South Korea¡¯s 2050 net zero goal.
Lee supports extending the life of existing nuclear plants, but opposes new reactors, citing land constraints and waste management issues.
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