in terms of number of reactors and installation density(and it is this installation around which some 3.8 million people live within a 30-km radius). Safe operation and management of reactors in the Kori-site require utmost policy concern. The possible halting of Shin-Kori 5 and 6 and the nuclear phase-out policy ignited heated debate. Nuclear phase-out has more social support but the suspension of Shin-Kori 5 and 6 construction was controversial. Pro-nuclear professors and experts relevant to the nuclear power industry, to the KHNP labour union, reactor construction companies, workers of fuel manufacturing and residents around Shin-Kori 5 and 6 were resisting the Moon government’s decision, while other experts and People’s Action for Post-Nuclear, composed of environmental organizations, religious groups and consumer cooperatives, opposing the use of nuclear power were supporting the decision on nuclear phase-out. On October 20th 2017, the Public Engagement Commission announced the results of a three-month public discussion. 59.5% of the representative citizen participants agreed to resuming construction of Shin-Kori 5 and 6, and 40.5% of the participants had the opinion for stopping construction. However, 53.2% of participants recommended that the proportion of nuclear power plants should be reduced. 3. Challenges to the energy transition 1. Structure of the energy market and energy infrastructure The energy market in the Republic of Korea is generally dominated by public corporations. In a period of reform, the power generation was divided into the Korea Hydro& Nuclear Power Co. Ltd and five affiliated power-generating companies. Power transmission and distribution are controlled and operated by the Korea Electric Power Corporation(KEPCO). Today, private companies can generate power but only after receiving approval from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. KHNP has a monopoly on the hydraulic power and nuclear power sectors. The coal and natural gas markets are led by public companies(Korea Coal Corporation and Korea Gas Corporation). However, private companies can directly import natural gas for power generation. The supply of gas within urban areas is operated by a regional monopoly. 2. Low electricity prices and electrification of industry The electricity pricing system is divided into six categories, by usage: residential, commercial, industrial, educational, agricultural and street lighting. The pricing is graded, with different tariffs based on the usage type. In 2017, electricity prices for recharging electric cars were set at cheaper rates to encourage greater use of electric cars. Within the pricing system, residential electricity is the highest. As of 1974, the price abides by a six-stage progressive pricing structure based on amount used, at intervals of 100 kWh: stage 1 is for consumption of less than 100 kWh, and stage 6 is for consumption of more than 500 kWh. The price of 1 kWh at stage 6 is 11.7 times more than that of stage 1. Due to increasing complaints from households, the previous government lowered the progressive price system from six stages to three stages in December 2016: 0 – 200 kWh, 201 – 400 kWh and more than 400 kWh. The cost per kWh at the third stage is about threefold of the first stage. 15