韓国電力大乱―脱原発へ一緒に進もう

The Asahi Shimbun, August 19, 2013
EDITORIAL: Japan, South Korea should work together to cut nuclear power
韓国電力大乱―脱原発へ一緒に進もう

South Korea is suffering from a serious power crunch as it swelters under a powerful heat wave with daily highs topping 40 degrees in some parts of the nation.
　最高気温が４０度を超える地域が出るなど、猛暑続きの韓国が深刻な電力不足に陥っている。

The power shortage stems from the suspension of operations of five of the country’s 23 nuclear reactors partly due to revelations of improprieties in domestic nuclear power plants.
　国内の原子力発電所で不正が発覚したことなどから、２３基ある原発のうち５基が稼働停止しているためだ。

For years, the South Korean government has been steadily increasing the country’s dependence on nuclear power generation. But the government is now facing an unprecedentedly loud chorus of calls from citizens for reducing electricity production with nuclear energy amid criticism over the revelations.
　韓国政府は原発への依存度をひたすら高めてきた。しかし、今回の騒動を機に、脱原発依存を求める国内の声はかつてなく強まっている。

The administration of President Park Geun-hye has said it will work out by year-end a basic plan for future energy supply that sets targets concerning the shares of nuclear power and renewable energy in the country’s electricity mix. We hope the Park administration will pay serious attention to the people’s wishes and embark on full-fledged efforts to scale down the nation’s nuclear power output.
　朴槿恵（パククネ）政権は年末までに今後の原発と自然エネルギーの比率を盛り込んだ基本計画をまとめる方針だ。切実な声に耳を傾け、脱原発依存に向けた本格的な取り組みを始めてほしい。

The electricity crisis has generated angry whispers about a “nuclear power mafia” among South Koreans.
　電力危機を引き金に、韓国で怒りをこめてささやかれる言葉がある。
　「原発マフィア」だ。

In May, it was revealed that parts used in nuclear power equipment had been supplied using fake performance certificates. Investigations into why the forgery had gone undetected uncovered the existence of a close-knit community of public utilities that operate nuclear power plants, related researchers and the regulatory agency.
　５月、原発に性能証明書を偽造した部品が使われていることが発覚。不正を見抜けなかった理由を探るなかで、原発を運営する公営企業や研究者、規制機関などで作る閉鎖的なグループが存在することがわかった。

Prosecutors have questioned a number of people concerned and made a series of arrests.
　検察当局は次々に関係者を調べ、逮捕者も続出している。

The administration of former President Lee Myung-bak promoted the construction of nuclear power plants and exports of nuclear technologies. It set a policy target of raising the share of nuclear power in overall electricity generation to about 60 percent in 2030, 60 percent higher than the current level. The Lee administration also promised to increase the share of renewable energy in power generation, which is among the lowest in the developed world, but didn’t pin much hope on natural energy.
　李明博（イミョンバク）・前政権は原発の建設・輸出を推進し、発電での原発比率を３０年に１・６倍の約６割にするとした。先進諸国では最低レベルの自然エネルギー比率は増加させるものの、大きな期待を寄せない。

The question facing the Park administration is whether it should follow the energy policy set by the previous government.
　朴政権が、この路線を踏襲するのかどうか。

The Fukushima nuclear disaster has made many South Koreans realize that nuclear power generation is by no means cheap, prompting calls for a shift toward renewable energy sources. The number of lawmakers arguing for less dependency on nuclear power has been rising gradually.
　韓国でも、福島第一原発の事故後、原発は決して安くないとの認識が広まり、自然エネルギーへの転換の必要性が叫ばれてきた。脱原発依存を唱える国会議員も徐々に増えてきた。

There are already some campaigns for a cleaner energy future that could serve as a model. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon has announced a program to replace the electricity that can be supplied by one nuclear reactor with a combination of power generation using renewable energy and power savings by 2014. The goal is almost certain to be achieved.
　手本となる動きはすでに始まっている。ソウルの朴元淳（パクウォンスン）市長は、１４年までに原発１基分を自然エネルギーと節電で補う計画を示し、達成はほぼ確実だ。

Under the program, solar panels have been installed on the premises of water purifying plants and on the roofs of bus stops. People’s efforts to reduce power consumption are rewarded with increased points on their IC tickets for transportation means. Officials at many other local governments have taken inspection tours in Seoul to study how it is working.
　浄水場の敷地やバス停の屋根に太陽光パネルをとりつけ、節電などに協力すればＩＣ乗車券のポイントを増やしている。ソウル市には他の自治体からの視察が相次いでいる。

President Park has proposed a “Northeast Asian peace and cooperation initiative” as a key item on her policy agenda. It would involve discussions for regional cooperation in efforts to ensure safety at nuclear power plants and effective responses to natural disasters.
　朴大統領は看板政策に「東北アジア平和協力構想」を掲げている。原発の安全や災害への対策などを地域で話し合おうという提案だ。

If a major nuclear accident occurs in South Korea, Japan and other neighboring countries would also be affected. The risks of nuclear power generation know no borders. Final disposal of spent nuclear fuel is another tough common challenge for all countries with nuclear power plants.
　原発で大事故が起きれば、その影響は日本など周辺地域に広がる。そのリスクはお互いさまだ。使用済み核燃料の最終処分も共通の難題である。

This summer, both Japan and South Korea have been gripped by record heat waves. This is probably a good opportunity for the two countries to start talks for energy cooperation toward reduced dependence on nuclear power as well as for better nuclear safety.
　記録的な猛暑に見舞われたこの夏、原子力の安全はもちろんのこと、脱原発依存に向けたエネルギー協力を日韓で話し合うスタートとしたい。