Nominated environment minister says nuclear power is green

Han Hwajin, Environment Minister Nominee, at the National Assembly of Seoul on Monday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

During her confirmation hearing Han Hwajin, the environment minister nominee, stated that nuclear power was a green source for energy.
 
Her views are in line with President-elect Yoon Suk-yel’s plan to classify nuclear power as relatively unsafe for the environment, reversing previous government policy.  
 
She said that nuclear energy was “categorized as a green resource in regard to greenhouse gas emissions,” Monday’s statement to the National Assembly.  
 
The nominee said that a change in nuclear energy’s categorization will be a growth opportunity.  
 
She stressed that it will be challenging to meet the pledge to cut carbon emissions to 60% of 2018 levels by 2030, but that it must be kept.  
 
Han observed that “the execution plan must be wise.”  
 
When asked if the government should focus more on increasing renewable energy production rather than on nuclear power, the nominee stated that while she agreed that that should be the ultimate goal, it should also include a balanced mix of both renewable and nuclear energy.  
 
Yoon’s Transition Team stated last week that nuclear power will be included in the nation’s green taxonomy, which is a list economic activities that are considered environmentally sustainable.  
 
Moon’s government added LNG to the list, but not nuclear. The EU includes nuclear.  
 
Nominated environment minister, she said that she will develop a plan that could help the country reach its carbon emission reduction targets by 2030.  
Han said, “We don’t have much time left to 2030.” “But most technologies that are needed are already in place and not new.”  
 
Despite the Moon Jaein administration’s promise of phasing out nuclear power and two nuclear reactors being shut down since 2017, nuclear power demand remains high, despite the rise in oil price.  
 
Some countries have turned towards coal, the cheapest form of energy.    
 
Korea’s gas prices have increased by two months in succession, and electricity prices may need to go up as well.
 
Korea Electric Power Corp. will report an operating loss of 5.3 billion won ($4.2 million) in the first quarter. This is close the 5.9 trillion win loss for the entire 2021, an all-time record.
 
Monday’s hearing was dominated by Han, who spoke out about her experience leading a team of 15 participants from 15 research institutes in 2008 to develop a national master plan for combating climate change.  
 
Han, an environmental researcher served as the Blue House secretary to the environment under the Lee Myung-bak administration.  
 
Prior to being appointed environment minister, she was an honorary fellow at the Korea Environment Institute.  

BY LEE HO JEONG [[email protected]]