Jeonnam Provincial Council Urges Additional Construction of Synchrotron Radiation Accelerator in Naju

Statement Released on the 11th, Expressing the Position to 'Consider National Balanced Development'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Despite Jeonnam's great efforts, the site for the long-awaited project of the synchrotron radiation accelerator for Jeonnam's development was ultimately selected as Ochang, Chungbuk.

On the 11th, the Jeonnam Provincial Council strongly urged the additional construction in Naju regarding the selection of the multipurpose synchrotron radiation accelerator site in Ochang, Chungbuk.

On this day, the Jeonnam Provincial Council issued a statement saying, "We cannot understand why Naju, which has far superior site conditions compared to Ochang, was eliminated," and added, "The council feels deep disappointment and cannot help but feel sorrow that the wishes of the residents have been dashed."

In particular, it emphasized, "The synchrotron radiation accelerator site in Naju is wide and flat, making development easy, and is composed of solid granite, ensuring excellent safety," and "It also offers convenience of urban life and a pleasant natural environment for site users, making the residential conditions outstanding."

It continued, "The accelerator, which is absolutely necessary for basic scientific research, exists nowhere else but Honam, and from the perspective of distributed placement to prepare for national disasters and balanced national development, Naju is the optimal site for the synchrotron radiation accelerator."

It also pointed out, "Last July, the Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development included the synchrotron radiation accelerator in the basic plan for establishing Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) University in Naju and decided to install it there," and criticized, "Yet the government overturned this decision so easily as if flipping the palm, raising questions about whether there are proper principles and standards."

On the other hand, it expressed opposition, stating, "Ochang is a mountainous area with large elevation differences, requiring much time and budget for the site, and there is a high risk of differential settlement, which could cause safety issues for the synchrotron radiation accelerator facilities."

It also argued, "Ochang has been designated as a Science Business Belt along with the Daejeon Heavy Ion Accelerator, and the Chungcheong region has already established a self-sustaining development base through intensive national policy support such as the Daedeok Research Complex and Osong Advanced Medical Complex."

Furthermore, it said, "If evaluation is based solely on accessibility and supporting facilities from a metropolitan-centered perspective, the cities and provinces in the South Coast region will inevitably be excluded from the central government's research facility allocation forever," and "This is evidence that the Moon Jae-in administration's national balanced development goal is just a slogan and that balanced development has been abandoned."

In response, the Jeonnam Provincial Council stated, "We urge the government to review the entire process of this public contest, correct the problems, and consider the excellent site conditions of Naju and national balanced development to additionally construct the synchrotron radiation accelerator in Naju."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.