Tuesday, 17 April 2012

Nuclear Power And Public Acceptance

Korea, described by the great Indian poet, Tagore, as the Land of the Morning Calm, is a land blessed with natural beauty and a splendid cultural heritage of 5000 years. Beauty and culture aside, the country is not blessed with natural energy resources. It has only limited coal deposits and the coal is comparatively low grade. In addition, every drop of oil must be imported. Furthermore, because of its geopolitical situation, the country has
long suffered from mightier neighbours. Thus, its history has seen much pain. These past difficulties, coupled with a complete lack of natural energy resources, were reflected in the nation's once backward economic development.



Beginning in the early 1960s, however, the Government executed a series of successful 5-year Economic and Social Development Plans designed to achieve national prosperity. The country's dramatic economic growth over the past 3 decades has been accompanied by rapid electricity demand growth of more than 15% per year, with a clear understanding of nuclear power generation". Responses from local inhabitants who have visited the centre include those saying that  " as long as it is operated safely, the nuclear power plant helps promote the development of the local community". Such comments help to underscore the importance of nuclear activities to further public understanding and acceptance, using an information service centre as a base.
In addition, the APIL guides assist visitors by explaining in plain language the contents of exhibits about nuclear power generation which would otherwise be hard to digest. Also, personal computers are provided to give children an opportunity to learn about energy while  "playing" on the machine. And in the natural forest surrounding the service centre, benches and small lodges are installed to provide visitors a place for refreshment and relaxation. These activities represent an attempt to create the image of  " an open and familiar power station" where visitors can be both informed and amused.

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