{"id":2208775,"date":"2025-03-19T08:00:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T23:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2208775"},"modified":"2025-03-18T13:47:56","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T04:47:56","slug":"south-korea-approves-sweeping-energy-laws-to-boost-grid-and-nuclear-storage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/03\/south-korea-approves-sweeping-energy-laws-to-boost-grid-and-nuclear-storage\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea approves sweeping energy laws to boost grid and nuclear storage"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Korea\u2019s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a package of three energy laws designed to strengthen the country\u2019s power grid, establish long-term nuclear waste storage facilities and accelerate offshore wind development. The <\/span>High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Act<\/span><\/a> sets a target to secure an interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel by 2050 and a permanent disposal facility by 2060. Site selection will follow a three-step process, including local government applications, suitability investigations and a public vote. Host communities will receive special financial support and infrastructure funding to secure local acceptance. A new High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Committee under the Prime Minister\u2019s Office will oversee implementation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>National Backbone Power Grid Expansion Act<\/span><\/a> aims to eliminate chronic delays in transmission infrastructure projects by streamlining permitting and granting the government authority to designate high-priority transmission projects over 345 kV. A new committee under the prime minister will coordinate a 30-year master plan for grid development. The <\/span>Offshore Wind Power Promotion Act<\/span><\/a> establishes a government-led site selection and approval process for offshore wind projects. The government will designate development zones based on wind conditions, environmental impact and local acceptance. Developers will be selected through competitive bidding, with approved projects receiving fast-tracked permitting.<\/span><\/p>\n

WHY IT MATTERS<\/b><\/p>\n

Expanding the power grid addresses longstanding bottlenecks in supplying stable electricity to South Korea\u2019s AI and semiconductor clusters, particularly in Yongin and Ulsan. These industries are critical to South Korea\u2019s export-driven economy. Offshore wind expansion, meanwhile, could reduce South Korea\u2019s reliance on imported fossil fuels and strengthen energy independence. However, the plan may face resistance from the fishing industry and other maritime sectors if projects disrupt existing fishing grounds and shipping routes.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the nuclear waste law may face implementation challenges. South Korea\u2019s attempt to build a waste facility in Buan County, North Jeolla Province, in 2003 sparked <\/span>large-scale protests<\/span><\/a>, which occasionally got <\/span>violent<\/span><\/a>, forcing the government to abandon the plan. The new law\u2019s requirement for public approval through resident votes creates similar risks, especially if compensation is viewed as inadequate or safety concerns gain traction. The government\u2019s effort to override local objections on power grid expansion after 60 days could also provoke backlash, particularly if compensation is seen as inadequate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Business & Economy<\/span><\/a>Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a>Inter-Korean & Foreign Relations<\/span><\/a>Technology & Cyber<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

South Korea\u2019s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a package of three energy laws designed to strengthen the country\u2019s power grid, establish long-term nuclear waste storage facilities and accelerate offshore wind development. The High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Act sets a target to secure an interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel by 2050 and a permanent disposal […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10407,"featured_media":2208776,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[24,27,28,29],"class_list":["post-2208775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-briefings","tag-business-economy","tag-domestic-politics","tag-inter-korean-foreign-relations","tag-technology-cyber"],"yoast_head":"\nSouth Korea approves sweeping energy laws to boost grid and nuclear storage - Korea Pro<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/03\/south-korea-approves-sweeping-energy-laws-to-boost-grid-and-nuclear-storage\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"South Korea approves sweeping energy laws to boost grid and nuclear storage - Korea Pro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"South Korea\u2019s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a package of three energy laws designed to strengthen the country\u2019s power grid, establish long-term nuclear waste storage facilities and accelerate offshore wind development. 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