UCA News
Contribute

Church voices anger at nuclear plan

Renews call for end to atomic energy after sites for new plants named
Church  voices anger at nuclear plan
Father Park Hong-pyo (center) at a press conference to oppose the selection of sites for new nuclear plants.
Published: December 27, 2011 10:09 AM GMT
Updated: December 27, 2011 10:09 AM GMT

The Church renewed calls yesterday for the government to scrap nuclear energy after a state enterprise last week named the sites it wants for two new power plants. Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced on December 23 that it had chosen Samcheok city and Yeongdeok-gun county, both on the east coast, as the sites of theplants. After an environmental evaluation, next year, KHNP will submit an application to the government for final decision. The announcement was immediately condemned by the Church and anti-nuclear activists in Samcheok, who took to the streets of the city in protest yesterday. The No Nukes Samcheok Coalition said a growing number of people are opposed to the plan and people’s opinions were not reflected in the selection process. Father Paul Park Hong-pyo, a coalition spokesman, said: "The disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant last March in Japan has turned people against nuclear power." After the Fukushima incident, just over half the population was against the plan and that number had increased significantly since then. "I think three quarters of them are against the idea," he said. Wonju diocese’s Committee for Justice and Peace yesterday called on the government to reject the application. The diocese, which covers Samcheok, called the KHNP decision a "unilateral" action and is nothing more than "violence by the state against the people". The committee also said the government's aim to increase the number of nuclear power plants goes against growing global opposition to nuclear energy. South Korea has 21 nuclear reactors and is building or planning 11 more, according to KHNP.  

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia