Democratic Labor Union Ulsan Headquarters' Struggle to Stop Wolseong High-Level Nuclear Waste Storage Facility

"Disbandment of the Spent Nuclear Fuel Review Committee, Immediate Dissolution of the Gyeongju Regional Executive Body"

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Yoseop] The Ulsan branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) announced on the 15th that it will launch a strong struggle to block the construction of a high-level radioactive waste storage facility in Wolseong, Gyeongju.

The Ulsan branch of KCTU held a press conference at the Ulsan City Hall Press Center on the morning of the same day, stating, "The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's review of the spent nuclear fuel management policy threatens our lives and safety as seriously as hazardous workplaces," and urged, "Dissolve the Spent Nuclear Fuel Review Committee and immediately disband the Gyeongju Regional Implementation Organization."

They added, "For the safety of 85,000 union members and their families, the Ulsan branch will engage in practical struggles to prevent the expansion of the temporary high-level radioactive waste storage facility."

The Ulsan branch of KCTU pointed out, "As a result of unilaterally constructing the Kori, Shin-Kori, and Wolseong nuclear power plants without considering the opinions of Ulsan citizens, 14 of the 26 nuclear reactors nationwide and 70% of high-level radioactive waste are located within a 30 km radius of Ulsan City Hall," and criticized, "Although Ulsan citizens are stakeholders in the decision-making of high-level radioactive waste management policies, they have been excluded from the decision-making process, which is a serious problem."

The Ulsan branch also criticized, "The 'Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Spent Nuclear Fuel Gyeongju Implementation Organization' established by the current government is reportedly composed only of Gyeongju citizens and plans to collect residents' opinions only from them, excluding Ulsan citizens who would have to evacuate their workplaces and homes in case of a radiation leak accident affecting 1.2 million people in Ulsan."

The Ulsan branch of KCTU demands three things from the government and plans to launch a blocking struggle in solidarity with workers nationwide if these demands are not met.

The three demands are ▲dissolution of the hastily operated Spent Nuclear Fuel Review Committee by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy ▲disbandment of the Ministry's unilateral Spent Nuclear Fuel Gyeongju Regional Implementation Organization ▲cessation of the government's rushed public discussion and dismissal of responsible officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission.

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