LEAD) Lee to push for earlier ownership of fully independent atomic-energy tech

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(ATTN: UPDATES with current data in para 5)
SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak will push to
obtain fully independent atomic-energy technologies earlier than the envisioned
target year of 2015 as part of the nation's efforts to drive down carbon
emissions, the president said Monday.

"Although we do not currently possess core technologies, (the government) plans
to advance the target year of technology independence, which was originally set
for 2015, by a few years," said Lee after a meeting with officials on 2010 plans.
"Atomic energy is the realistic alternative to reduce carbon emissions, as well
as being the most economic eco-friendly project," the president noted.
South Korea has been seeking to boost the ratio of its power generated by atomic
reactors in a bid to bolster renewable energy and drive down its reliance on oil
imports.
Currently around 40 percent of electricity used locally is generated by nuclear
power, and the economy relies entirely on inbound shipments for crude oil.
South Korea is the fifth-largest operator of nuclear power in the world, with 20
commercial reactors and nearly 98 percent of the technologies used for such
operations owned by the country.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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