President Lee Jae-myung is expected to recalibrate rather than reverse South Korea’s nuclear energy strategy, slowing domestic expansion while maintaining support for international reactor exports. This balancing act reflects his administration’s prioritization of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, waste management concerns and energy price controls, but it also introduces strategic risks for firms tied to state-backed infrastructure and long-term export ambitions.

SHIFT FROM AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION

Lee did not include nuclear policy in his formal campaign platform, but his remarks during televised debates and early press engagements make clear that he supports a phase-down of nuclear power generation.

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