# South Korea Energy Profile — Complete Reference

**URL:** https://thecodex.expert/energy/countries/south-korea/
**Session:** 38 | **Date:** 2026-07-09

## Summary

South Korea imports ~97-98% of fuel for electricity (coal, oil, LNG), no international gas pipelines, world's 3rd-largest LNG importer (2024). Nuclear program began 1970s for energy security (Kori-1, 1977-78). ~26-27 reactors, ~24,650-31,650 MW capacity, ~30% of electricity, world's highest reactor density (4 sites: Kori, Hanul, Hanbit, Wolsong, near Busan/Ulsan/Gyeongju). KHNP (KEPCO subsidiary) is world's 3rd-largest nuclear operator by capacity after EDF and Rosatom. Domestic APR1400 design (NRC-certified 2019) exported: Barakah UAE (4 units, completed Sept 2024, ~5,600 MW), Dukovany Czech Republic (~$18.6bn, July 2024), Egypt (El Dabaa), Romania (Cernavodă). Nuclear policy reversed sharply: Moon Jae-in (2017) pledged phase-out post-Fukushima; Yoon Suk Yeol (2022) reversed, targeting 32-35% by 2036. Ulsan also hosts one of world's largest refining complexes (SK Energy + S-Oil, ~840,000 bbl/day). KSTAR fusion reactor set 2024 world record: 100M°C plasma sustained 48 seconds. Sources: World Nuclear Association, US EIA, Wikipedia, Stanford, Grokipedia.