Minister Kim Sungwhan of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment stated at a press briefing on Monday, January 26, that the construction of new nuclear power plants under the 11th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand would proceed as planned.

Earlier, the Ministry explained that regarding the plan to build new nuclear power plants under the 11th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand, it had conducted two policy forums (December 30, 2025, and January 7, 2026) and public opinion surveys through two institutions (January 12-16). The survey results showed that renewable energy and nuclear power, in that order, were identified as the energy sources that need to be expanded in the future, that more than 80% of respondents said nuclear power is necessary, and that more than 60% responded that the plan to build new nuclear power plants included in the 11th Basic Plan should be carried out.

Minister Kim emphasized, “To respond to climate change, carbon emissions must be reduced across all sectors, and in particular, in order to cut emissions in the power sector, it is necessary to reduce coal- and LNG-fired power generation. Therefore, a power system centered on renewable energy and nuclear power is needed.” To this end, the Ministry plans to pursue measures such as complementing the intermittency of renewable energy through ESS and pumped-storage hydropower, and alleviating the rigidity of nuclear power through flexible operation.

In addition, the 12th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand aims to scientifically and objectively incorporate forecasts of electrification demand driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence and electric vehicles, as well as the energy mix for carbon neutrality and plans for a distributed power grid. 

The Ministry plans to gather public opinion in the future through various formats of consultation, including the key issues raised during this round of opinion collection.

For reference, the new nuclear power plants under the 11th Basic Plan will soon begin with a site solicitation by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, followed by a site evaluation and selection process lasting about five to six months. The related procedures are scheduled to proceed with the goal of obtaining construction permits in the early 2030s and completing construction in 2037 and 2038.

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com