South Korea announced on Monday that it plans to construct two new nuclear reactors by 2038 as part of efforts to meet rising electricity demand while cutting carbon emissions.
Speaking at a news conference in Seoul, Climate Minister Kim Sung-whan said the government would proceed with the necessary administrative and regulatory procedures to complete the construction of two large-scale nuclear reactors between 2037 and 2038. The project is included in the 11th Basic Plan for Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand, which was drafted under the previous administration and is now being carried forward.
Kim stressed that reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector requires a gradual decline in power generation from coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG), which together still account for a significant share of South Korea’s electricity mix.
“To cut carbon emissions, it is essential to scale down coal- and LNG-based power generation,” Kim said. “Therefore, we need power system operations centered on renewable energy and nuclear power.”
South Korea, which relies heavily on energy imports, has increasingly turned to nuclear power as a stable, low-carbon energy source amid concerns over energy security, climate change and growing electricity demand driven by data centers, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing.
Public sentiment appears to favor the move. Two government-commissioned opinion polls released last week showed that about 80 percent of respondents said nuclear power is necessary for the country’s energy future, while roughly 60 percent supported the construction of additional reactors.
State-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) will soon begin a bidding process to select host municipalities for the two reactors. The process is expected to run through 2027, during which candidate cities or towns will be evaluated based on safety, infrastructure readiness and local acceptance.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, KHNP aims to obtain approval from the nuclear safety regulator by 2031. If the timeline proceeds as planned, construction will begin shortly thereafter, with completion targeted for 2037–2038.
South Korea currently operates 25 nuclear reactors, supplying roughly a quarter of its electricity. The new reactors are expected to play a key role in stabilizing power supply while supporting the country’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
