South Korean nuclear power plants

[David B. Benson]

Fortunately, the South Korean jury found in favor of completing the two nuclear power plants which are about 30% complete:
www.google.com/amp/s/phys.org/news/2017-10-south-korea-nuclear-power.amp
Sensible.

[Roger Clifton]

It is interesting that they used a legal process to counter public hysteria.

[huon]

An inspiring victory. Here's a brief description of the campaign to save the Korean nukes; it's written by a US environmental group which participated in the effort.
environmentalprogress.org/big-news/2017/10/19/victory-pro-nuclear-win-in-south-korea-gives-momentum-to-atomic-humanists-everywhere

[David B. Benson]

Huon, your link is broken for me but a web search for
Environmental progress big news
finds the article. The just prior one is also of considerable interest regarding this approval for the continued construction of the pair of nuclear power plants.

[David B. Benson]

Unfortunately South Korean President Moon still plans to end nuclear power plants, beyond these two, and so no further exports either:
www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-South-Korean-president-accepts-public-decision-2310175.html

Sad, as the Korean program is the only one which has been successful in reducing costs. Well, can't say about the Russian and Chinese programs.

[huon]

Not so sensible. Looks like it's up to the SMRs now.

[Roger Clifton]

"Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. plans to resume construction ... and complete the compensation process for its contractors"

My reading of the events in Korea is that we have watched another cycle of populism. During the election campaign the winning party roused fear then promised to relieve the populace of the fictitious threat. After the election, as a responsible government they then needed to protect the South Korean economy, electricity supply, export trade, public monies, etc. Instead of simply dissembling, they used the jury process to pump wisdom into the folly.

The word "compensation" in the quote above offers some protection for big engineering projects, not just nuclear. If the process for the original procurement of the funds included a clause to penalise the State for any delays caused by the State, then the populist tactic would be expensive only to the public purse.  Any would-be leader of the fearful would then come under pressure from other pollies more protective of public funds.

quote from:
mailchi.mp/world-nuclear-news/wnn-daily-swiss-offers-uk-advice-on-eu-exit?e=6909751512
english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2017/10/26/0503000000AEN20171026011400315.html