Out of every 100 people, 86 (85.7%) recognized that nuclear power generation is necessary. On new nuclear plant construction, 66 out of 100 people (65.7%) also said it is necessary.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on the 21st that a poll of 3,024 adults nationwide conducted last week produced these results. The survey was conducted through two agencies: Gallup Korea (telephone, 1,519 people) and Realmeter (ARS, 1,505 people).
In the results, 89.5% in the Gallup survey and 82% in the Realmeter survey said nuclear power generation is necessary. Those who said it is not necessary were 7.1% and 14.4%, respectively.
In the survey on perceptions of nuclear power safety, responses saying it is safe were 60.1% and 60.5% for Gallup and Realmeter, respectively. Those saying it is dangerous were 34.2% and 34%.
On whether to proceed with new nuclear plants reflected in the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, opinions that it "should proceed" were 69.6% in Gallup and 61.9% in Realmeter. That is two to three times higher than responses saying it should be halted (22.5% and 30.8%).
Renewables and nuclear power were most often cited as power sources that need expansion in the future. In the Gallup survey, the order was renewables (48.9%), nuclear power (38%), and LNG (5.6%). In the Realmeter survey, renewables (43.1%) and nuclear power (41.9%) were at similar levels.
An official at the climate ministry said, "We plan to announce soon plans for promoting new nuclear plants, based on the results of two rounds of policy forums and this public opinion survey."