Prime Minister Jeong: "Steadily Advancing the Expansion of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Macster"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated on the 20th, "We will steadily proceed with the expansion of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant's spent nuclear fuel temporary storage facility (MACSTOR) according to the results of the residents' public deliberation."

At the 112th Government Policy Coordination Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the same day, Prime Minister Chung announced this regarding the agenda item 'Plan to Promote the Expansion of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Spent Nuclear Fuel Temporary Storage Facility.'

Prime Minister Chung said, "The capacity of the temporary storage facility for spent nuclear fuel at Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant is expected to reach saturation in 2022," adding, "If the temporary storage facility is not expanded in time, there is even a risk of suspension of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant operations."

If the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy approves the MACSTOR expansion based on the residents' opinion survey results (81.4% in favor), the construction process will begin. The project operator, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, will file a construction notification with the local government, Gyeongju City, and once Gyeongju City grants permission, the legal procedures will be completed. Construction is expected to start as early as next month and be completed around March 2022.

The government discussed the expansion of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant spent nuclear fuel temporary storage facility centered on the Reexamination Committee. Over three weeks in July, a deliberation and public discussion process was conducted to gather opinions from a citizen participation group composed of local residents. As a result, 81.4% supported the expansion of the temporary storage facility.

Prime Minister Chung said, "Local opinions are most important in deciding whether to expand the temporary storage facility," and expressed gratitude to the local residents who made the difficult decision and to the Reexamination Committee members who worked hard to gather opinions. He added, "We will also actively review various opinions and concerns raised during the discussion process."

Prime Minister Chung stated, "Decisions on the mid- to long-term plan for spent nuclear fuel are also scheduled," and urged, "The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and related ministries should prepare the basic plan and other measures steadily based on the results of the public deliberation."

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