Chairman Kim Ji-hyung of the committee of the public debate on the construction of Shin Kori Nuclear Power Units 5&6 announces his committee’s decision at a briefing at the Government Complex in Seoul on Oct. 20.

The construction of Shin Kori Nuclear Power Units 5 & 6, currently suspended by the new government’s policy of weaning the nation off nuclear power, will be resumed. 

At a briefing at the Government Complex in Seoul on Oct. 20, the committee of the public debate on the construction of Shin Kori Nuclear Power Units 5 & 6 recommended the government resume the work. 

As the government repeatedly confirmed it would fully accept the committee’s decision, the construction is expected to be resumed at the earliest possible date. 

Chairman Kim Ji-hyung of the committee said that the final, fourth survey of 471 civic participants is evaluated to have a reliability level of 95 percent and a margin error of 3.6 percent, and an opinion deviation of both sides is confirmed to stand at 19 percent points. He explained that the figures show a statistically significant difference, which goes beyond the margin of error. 

More surveys including in age groups favor the resumption of the project, Chairman Kim said. In particular, those in their 20s and 30s are more likely to support the nuclear reactors, he added. 

Those in favor of project resumption vs. those who support stopping it stand at 59.5 percent and 39.4 percent, respectively. That was the result of the 7th question of the fourth survey. The first question of the survey contained such views as “find it difficult to decide” and “do not know.” Only 3.3 percent reserved their opinion. 

The first survey indicated that 36.6 5 percent of respondents favored the resumption, 27.6 percent supported stoppage and 35.8 percent reserved their views, while the third survey showed the ratio at 44.7 percent: 30.7 percent: 24.6 percent. The 2nd survey did not mention the construction of the project. 

The committee also recommended that the government push for a reduction of nuclear power generation. The fourth survey showed that 53.2 percent of respondents favored a reduction in nuclear power generation; 35.5 percent supported maintaining of the status quo; and 9.7 percent backed expansion. 

Asked about what supplementary steps are needed in the case of the resumption of the project, 33 percent of respondents called for the strengthening of safety standards, while 27.6 percent support expanding investments in new and renewable energies. In this regard, the committee recommended the government’s scrutiny and the immediate drawing up of a detailed action plan.

President Moon Jae-in is to preside over a cabinet meeting on Oct. 24 to take up the committee’s recommendation of the resuming of the project.