not easy to determine if this recent trend is a temporary phenomenon resulting from the stagnant economy or due to lower economic growth rates. 4. Present discussion on the energy transition in the Republic of Korea It is remarkable that the energy policy became a national agenda because of the current government’ s unconventional approach. Even after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, there was not much change in energy policy for the Republic of Korea, despite its geographic proximity to Japan. Even though the incident contributed to greater awareness among Koreans regarding the risks associated with nuclear power and more active post-nuclear protests resumed, no significant change occurred in policy planning and implementation under the Lee and Park governments, which did not take the public’s concerns seriously. 13 But even the public at large showed little real concern. During the 18th presidential election in 2012— in the wake of the Fukushima accident, energy policy was barely an issue. Comments from candidates at that time on the safety of nuclear power plants found no resonance with the voters. Which makes the campaign scene of 2017 particularly stunning for the dramatic shift, when, as previously noted, four of five candidates pledged the phase-out of nuclear power and the aged coal-fired power plants and expansion of renewable energy sources. Even though the Fukushima incident had little bearing on the previous election outcome, perhaps dangerous threats need critical mass or proximity. Described as the most powerful seismic activity in Korean history, with more than 500 aftershocks, the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that jolted the Gyeongju area in September 2016 shook the broader public. The earthquake’s epicentre was only 28 km from the Wolsung nuclear power plants. Midnight of June 19, 2017 was a historical moment in the country’s nuclear power history. The first reactor built, Kori 1, was shut down permanently after 30 years of operation and 10 more years of life-time extension. Wolsung 1 is another reactor that reached its 30-year mark but is still operating, after a 10-year extension upgrade in 2015 prolonged its service until 2022, as declared by the Nuclear Safety Commission. That extension was granted amid great controversy. Residents around the reactor subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Nuclear Safety Commission. The Seoul Administrative Court cancelled the life-time extension after finding measures to secure safety were not sufficient. The Nuclear Safety Commission, supported by the KHNP, immediately appealed the decision. In July 2017, the Seoul High Court overruled the lower court and upheld the 10-year extension. Debate on that extension continues as does debate on the true costs of nuclear power. Currently, five reactors are under construction. Construction of Shin-Kori 4 is almost completed. It will start commercial operation next year 2018. Construction of Shin-Hanul 1 and 2 is also almost done with completion rates of over 96%. Two other reactors, Shin-Kori 5 and 6, are about a quarter of the way into their construction, which has been suspended since President Moon took office due to the controversy and resumed on October 2017 based on recommendation of the Public Engagement Commission. If Shin-Kori 4 begins commercial operation, there will be seven reactors. If Shin-Kori 5 and 6 are completed, there will be eight reactors of 10,150 MW at one plant site. The Kori nuclear power plants would be the largest 13 Sun-Jin Yun and Riley Dunlap, Environmental Movements in Korea: A Sourcebook(Seongnam, Republic of Korea: The Academy of Korean Studies Press, 2017). 14