Yeongdeok: The state-run Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) announced that it has selected candidate sites for the construction of two new nuclear reactors, which are scheduled to be operational by 2038. Yeongdeok, located approximately 349 kilometers southeast of Seoul, has been chosen as the prospective site for two nuclear plants with a combined capacity of 2.8GW. Additionally, Gijang, a northeastern county in Busan, has been identified as the site for a 0.7GW small modular reactor (SMR).

According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision comes as the government confirms its plans to build two large-scale nuclear reactors between 2037 and 2038. This marks a shift from the government's previous opposition to constructing new nuclear power facilities. This policy reversal aligns with the country's strategy to meet increasing power demands attributed to the growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector and the push for more clean energy sources.

Both Yeongdeok and Gijang have expressed interest in hosting the new nuclear reactors, as per statements from the nuclear power operator.