nuclear-news

Democracy losing out in South Korea, as govt stifles anti nuclear voices

nuclear energy is not considered a safe, clean or sustainable energy source by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It is, therefore, not included in the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism.

 the government declared it would spend an additional 10 billion won to promote nuclear energy

Greenpeace will continue to reach out to the people of Korea, despite the fovernment’s attempt to quash public debate and discontent over its nuclear plans

Nuclear Power and Democracy  Don’t Mix  , HUFFINGTON POST, 3 April 12, Kumi NaidooExecutive Director, Greenpeace International,On Monday South Korea deported three senior Greenpeace staff, known for their role in our campaign
against that country’s nuclear expansion plans. This is just the latest proof that nuclear power and democracy do not mix. It’s the latest attack on freedom of speech from an industry forged in the furnace of military secrecy, which has over the last 60 years left in
it’s a wake a legacy of lies, cover-ups and broken promises.

What is it the industry and its government sponsors fear? What do they hope to achieve by excluding peaceful people from Greenpeace? What do they have to hide? What is it that they do not wish the people of Korea to hear?….
I will now continue alone with my planned meetings and I will seek
more. I wish to speak to the Minster for Justice, to hear why my
colleagues and friends represent in his view such a threat. I will try
to cover the work of my friends and colleagues. When I met with the
mayor of Seoul, Park Won Soon, I expressed my admiration and hopes for
Korea’s leadership in championing sustainable development in the
run-up to this year’s Rio+20 Summit on Sustainable Development. I
shall tell him that nuclear power has no role to play. The mayor said
the deportation of my Greenpeace colleagues was unreasonable.

No doubt we will talk of the fact that Korea will host a ministerial
meeting in the run up to the next round of global talks on climate
change later this year. Known as COP18, these talks in which progress
is desperately needed in tackling climate change do not include
discussion of nuclear power, as any keen follower of climate talks
knows nuclear energy is not considered a safe, clean or sustainable energy source by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It is, therefore, not included in the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism.

I hope to meet with many key leaders of political parties and
anti-nuclear NGOs about Korea’s expanding reliance on risky nuclear
technology, despite the abundance of renewable energy alternatives it
can turn to. But also about the role Korea can play in promoting a
just, equitable and sustainable future.

This latest example of the government’s crackdown on our anti-nuclear
power campaign makes it harder to believe that South Korea’s
government will play such a positive role: that its action will match
its rhetoric.

Last June, the Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior carried out a
“Nuclear-Free Korea” tour and travelled to Yongduk, a planned site for
a nuclear power plant. Local groups were harassed by the local
government, as they prepared for the ship’s visit. Their anti-nuclear
campaign posters were torn down, every person participating in a forum
against nuclear energy was photographed, and a planned protest march
was cancelled. People felt and were intimidated.

In August, following the announcement that Greenpeace would launch an
office in Seoul, the government declared it would spend an additional
10 billion won to promote nuclear energy…..
Greenpeace will continue to reach out to the people of Korea, despite
the fovernment’s attempt to quash public debate and discontent over
its nuclear plans. Later this month our largest campaigning and
research vessel the Esperanza (Spanish for ‘hope’) will tour Korea.
Called the “Energy Hope Tour,” its voyage will see the full launch of
our Energy [R]evolution scenario for Korea showing that nuclear energy
is not needed, that it is a deadly and unnecessary risk, and outlining
the potential for clean, safe and sustainable energy solutions. These
solutions will also boost the economy and ensure energy security…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kumi-naidoo/greenpeace-korea-nuclear-power_b_1399336.html

April 4, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, South Korea