The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday ordered a halt to the construction of the reactors in Ulsan, 414 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and have citizen jurors determine whether to go ahead with the construction after three months of public deliberation.

The move is in line with President Moon Jae-in's pursuit of safe, clean and renewable energy sources but has triggered concerns about a possible surge in electricity bills and an energy shortage.

"You don't need to worry that the citizen jurors might be unprofessional," Lee said. "They will deliver their judgment based on sound common sense."

Touching on the envisioned panel to solicit and gauge public opinion on the issue, Lee stressed that its focus will be on maintaining "fairness and objectivity" in the process of reaching a final decision on the reactors.

As for the concerns about a possible rise in electricity prices and the loss of jobs involved in the reactor construction, he said these issues will also be discussed at the panel.

Lee also dismissed the idea of extending the three-month deliberation period, saying it would result in a "tremendous cost," apparently alluding to social and political division over the energy policy issue. (Yonhap)