Environmental activists wearing raincoats, gas masks and holding torn umbrellas take part in an anti-nuclear rally demanding a stop to the building of nuclear power plants, in Seoul, April 21, 2011.
South Korea built its first reactor in 1978. Since then, the country has built four nuclear power stations with 20 reactors that account for 35% of its electricity. The country plans to up its number of reactors to 40 and derive 59% of its power from nuclear by 2030. After winning a $20-billion contract to supply nuclear reactors to the United Arab Emirates in 2009, South Korea also secured its position as a major nuclear exporter.
MORE: Fukushima Citizens and Farmers Struggle with Food Safety