South Korean presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung supports expanding the development of renewable energy. (Photo: Lee Jae-myung's facebook)
As South Korea heads to the polls on June 3 for its presidential election, the two leading candidates’ positions on energy have drawn attention.
At the heart of the debate are nuclear energy and the growing push for renewables, especially considering soaring electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence. The outcome is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s energy structure and export strategy.
Lee Jae-myung backs solar, wind power
Leading opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party is known for his pro-renewables stance. During his campaign, he introduced the “Energy Expressway” plan, which aims to supply renewable power—mainly from offshore wind farms—to industrial zones.
He has pledged to phase out coal by 2040, reduce reliance on natural gas, and create a dedicated agency to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Lee also promised to build on the solar policies of former President Moon Jae-in, focusing on expanding solar farms in rural areas to both boost renewable energy production and generate income for elderly residents. In addition, he supports loosening regulations on solar panel installations to meet industry demands, especially from major players like Hanwha.
However, while vocal about renewables, Lee has been more reserved on nuclear energy. In a televised debate, he remarked that both fully abandoning and solely relying on nuclear power would be difficult paths. He favors retaining existing reactors but opposes building new ones. He has, however, expressed support for the development and export of small modular reactors (SMRs).
Compared to his vocal support for renewables, Lee Jae-myung has been more reserved on nuclear energy. (Photo: Lee Jae-myung's facebook)
Kim Moon-soo supports expanding nuclear power
Rival candidate Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party has taken a clear pro-nuclear position. Though he initially proposed raising nuclear’s share of power generation from 32% to 60%, he backtracked after facing criticism. He now emphasizes plans to build six new nuclear reactors, echoing the stance of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Kim has also pledged to expand other renewable sources such as offshore wind and hydropower—on the condition that such development supports domestic industries and complements nuclear expansion. He also supports SMR development. His broader energy strategy focuses on lowering electricity prices to create a business-friendly environment.
AI demands revive nuclear debate
The Democratic Party began advocating for a nuclear phase-out following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, laying the groundwork for Moon Jae-in’s anti-nuclear policies. But with electricity demand soaring due to AI, a strict anti-nuclear stance may hinder South Korea’s tech ambitions.
Cho Jin-man, a political science professor at Duksung Women’s University, noted that the Democratic Party’s softened stance on nuclear power isn’t surprising. Many now recognize the cost of phasing it out. Nuclear energy remains crucial for AI development and South Korea’s economy—especially as the country is a major exporter of nuclear technology.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, nuclear power is South Korea’s largest electricity source in 2024, followed by natural gas and coal. Renewables account for about 10% of the mix.
Source: The Korea Times(1), (2), Bloomberg
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