South Korea still pro-nuclear energy

South Korea will continue its atomic energy buildup despite the nuclear disaster unfolding in Japan.

According to Knowledge Economy Minister Choi Joong-kyung, since fossil fuel resources will likely dry up in the future, the country has no choice but to turn to nuclear power to meet its growing energy needs.

"The events occurring at Japan's Fukushima power plant will not affect Seoul's stance on this issue," he stressed.

The country currently operates 21 commercial reactors, but plans to build nine more by 2021, with an additional eight to 10 fission power units to become operational in the following decade.

Once the buildup program is complete around 2030, the country's reliance on nuclear power is expected to surge to 59 percent of total electricity demand from 31.5 percent tallied for last year.

The minister in charge of the country's industrial and energy policies added that while some countries such as Germany and Switzerland are moving to reevaluate their atomic energy plans, others such as China and Turkey have said they will stay on course.