A Peaceful World Free of Nuclear Weapons

Abbot Park Hyun-dong: “Halt Nuclear Power Expansion and Pursue a Just Energy Transition” is the statement from the CBCK Committee for Ecology and Environment. “Towards a Peaceful World Free of Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Power Plants”

The Abbot Chairman of the CBCK Committee for Ecology and Environment issued a statement dated August 15 titled “Towards a Peaceful World Free of Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Power Plants.” He emphasized, “We must reject nuclear weapons, which threaten human survival, and halt plans to construct new nuclear power plants as well as attempts to extend the operational lifespan of existing ones.”

Referring to the visit made in late June by the Korea-Japan Nuclear-Free Peace Pilgrimage Group to the Hapcheon Atomic Bomb Victims Welfare Center—where they met with domestic victims of the atomic bombings and their descendants—Abbot Park stated, “These individuals have endured layers of suffering, including colonial rule, forced mobilization, the aftereffects of radiation exposure from the atomic bombings, poverty, and social discrimination.” He added, “Nuclear weapons and nuclear power raise common ethical questions regarding the long-term risks posed by radioactive materials, the irreversibility of the damage caused, and the fact that the impact is concentrated on specific regions and future generations.” 

Regarding the government’s announcement to proceed with plans to build two new nuclear power plants and one small modular reactor (SMR), Abbot Park pointed out, “Although two rounds of public forums and opinion polls were conducted, one cannot help but ask whether the public was provided with balanced information—covering site selection, construction costs, transmission grid conflicts, accident risks, and alternative scenarios centered on renewable energy—and whether a sufficient process of social deliberation took place.”

Noting that only about 31 countries worldwide operate commercial nuclear power plants, Abbot Park emphasized the need to shift the energy system toward a focus on renewable energy. He added, “To move toward a new world centered on life, we must choose a path that achieves global peace—encompassing humanity and the countless lives within our ecosystem.” He further stated, “The Catholic Church in Korea will join in prayer and solidarity on the journey toward a peaceful world free of nuclear weapons, a just energy transition, and a society free from nuclear power.”