The Politics of Nuclear Transition in South Korea and Japan

• In Event: Energy Policy and Politics

Abstract

The 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima marked a turning point for nuclear power in South Korea and Japan, two nations previously reliant on it for economic development. This article conducts a comparative case analysis to investigate the politicization of nuclear energy in the aftermath of the Fukushima incident, focusing on the period between 2010 and 2023. Examining the political tensions surrounding energy transition in export-based economies, the study delves into the role of developmentalism and its connection to the discourse on renewable energy. Unlike prevailing explanations attributing energy politics in East Asia solely to developmentalism, our analysis reveals that the politicization of nuclear energy in South Korea is distinct from Japan. In South Korea, it has become intertwined with the polarized political system, a result of conscious decisions by political leaders influenced by ties to epistemic communities. This article not only sheds light on the political dynamics shaping post-Fukushima energy policies but also offers insights into the broader discourse on developmentalism and renewable energy in East Asia.

Author

• Matthew Jenkins, Gyeongsang National University