earticle

영어

The world is now paying attention to nuclear power as a key measure to solve the current issues, such as fossil fuel depletion and high oil prices, as well as greenhouse gas emissions followed by UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Despite there is a growing need for nuclear power as national energy source, the current Fukushima plant crisis and a closed policy of nuclear plant operator have produced the negative perception that nuclear power is unsafe with potential radiation leaks from any of the nation’s nuclear power plants in Korea. This study aimed at promoting public acceptability of unclear power and diverting a negative image for Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power(KHNP) Company. After a critical review of literature on socio-economic impact of nuclear power, we proposed a new analytical model for the causal paths toward a public acceptability of unclear power. Perceived risk, perceived usefulness, transparency and trustworthiness were employed in the structural equating model as critical factors in determining public acceptability of nuclear power. Especially, trustworthiness was used as a mediating variable. First, perceived risk is expected as one of the key determinants as an increased awareness of the risk negatively affects public acceptability, and the other way around. Second, perceived (economic and social) usefulness is expected as one of the key determinants as local residents’ acceptances are influenced by their economic reliance on nuclear-related facilities. Third, transparency is also expected as one of the key boosting public acceptability of nuclear power as transparency and fairness over policy decisions are associated with policy acceptance. Fourth, the important issue underlying the debate over the acceptance of nuclear power is a low level of confidence; hence trustworthiness is used to estimate the mediating effect on a public acceptability of nuclear power. The results showed that perceived risk, perceived usefulness and trustworthiness had direct effects on public acceptability, while the acceptability was influenced by transparency via trustworthiness which acted as a mediator. The findings suggest some strategic implications. First, it requires an effort to reduce public risk perception of nuclear power. Since perceived risk for nuclear power is governed by technology and information reliability, it is crucial to develop various communication channels and trust-based networking. Second, it requires an effort to offset the subjective and hypothetical risk through enlarging economic and social benefits. Since the potential benefit caused by developing nuclear power facilities can offset the risk and positively affect the acceptability, government should develop the specific policy promoting economic and social benefits in conjunction with mid/long-term programs for community development. Third, the transparency of a nuclear power operator, KHNP, is a key factor influencing trustworthiness. To gain the people’s trust, KHNP should constantly offer transparent and ample information that nuclear plant is safety and stability in the process of construction and administration. Finally, institutional framework is needed to win public confidence. Public distrust and misgivings about nuclear power have been amplified due to the recent corruption scandal of KHNP, unavailability of public information about Fukushima nuclear accident and unilaterally push policies, and the like. These result in falling public confidence and trust. To recover social trust from the public, hence KHNP should draw people’s interest and participation beyond mere public relations through policy reform. In fact, the more sophisticated technology, like nuclear technology, the more openness and participation are needed to enhance public acceptability. In this sense, KHNP is requested to be more efficient and transparent system, offering reliable and ample information in the stages of decision-making and implementation.

한국어

최근 일본의 후쿠시마 사태와 원전운영기관의 폐쇄적인 정책 진행으로 인해 원자력의 안전과 운영기관에 대한 부정적 인식이 널리 퍼져있다. 본 연구의 목적은 원자력 발전의 사회적 수용성을 증진하고 한국수력원자력(주)의 부정적 이미지 개선하기 위함이다. 보다 자세하게는 위험인식, 효용인식, 투명성이 원전의 사회적 수용성에 미치는 영향을 파악하고자 하였으며, 한수원에 대한 신뢰성을 매개변수로 삼아 전체 모델로 만들고, 구조방정식을 활용해 실증하였다. 분석 결과, 위험인식, 효용인식과 신뢰성 간의 관계는 통계적으로 유의하지 않게 나타났지만, 사회적 수용성은 신뢰성이 확보되었을 때 증진되는 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 원자력 운영기관의 투명성 강화는 국민의 신뢰성을 증진시키고, 신뢰성은 매개변수로서 전반적으로 원자력의 수용성을 증진시키는 것으로 나타났다. 끝으로 이러한 결과를 중심으로 몇 가지 전략적 시사점도 도출하였다