National Nuclear Power Plant Alliance "Prepare Safe Nuclear Power Plant Management Measures"

Buan County Governor Kwon Ik-hyun Requests Institutional Measures to Allow Neighboring Local Governments to Participate in Nuclear Power Plant Policies

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Tae-in] Kwon Ik-hyun, Buan County Governor (Vice Chairman) affiliated with the National Nuclear Power Plant Alliance, recently called for a unified solution to the nuclear power plant shutdowns caused by consecutive typhoons.

The National Nuclear Power Plant Alliance, composed of 16 local governments nationwide, issued a joint statement titled "Is Nuclear Safety Just Words?" on the 8th. The statement included three demands: thorough investigation of the causes of the recent nuclear power plant accidents, and the establishment of practical measures to prevent recurrence.

In the joint statement, they pointed out, "Following the shutdown of Kori Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 and Shin-Kori Units 1 and 2 due to Typhoon Maysak (Typhoon No. 9), the subsequent Typhoon Haishen (Typhoon No. 10) caused the suspension of Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant Units 2 and 3 as well," adding, "The National Nuclear Power Plant Alliance, representing 16 local governments and 3.14 million citizens nationwide, cannot help but express serious concern over the shutdown of six nuclear reactors caused by typhoons."

They also expressed concern over the recent situation, stating, "Following last year's automatic shutdown accidents at Hanbit Unit 1 and Hanaro reactors, and this year's flooding accident at Shin-Kori Units 3 and 4, known as the 'Korean premium nuclear power plants,' as well as the leakage accident at Korea Nuclear Fuel Co., the shutdown of six nuclear reactors due to typhoons is an unprecedented event," and "The series of accidents has increasingly heightened the anxiety of the 3.14 million residents living near nuclear power plants."

They continued, "Although extensive safety reinforcements were carried out nationwide in response to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, similar accidents continue to occur," and criticized, "Especially since Kori Nuclear Power Plant was also shut down during Typhoon Maemi in 2003, it is absolutely unacceptable that shutdowns due to typhoons are recurring."

The National Nuclear Power Plant Alliance raised their voices, saying, "So far, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power have repeatedly stated that 'there is no problem with the safety of local residents and that measures to prevent recurrence will be established' whenever nuclear accidents occur," but "the opinions of the 3.14 million residents living near nuclear power plants, who are the direct stakeholders in various nuclear policies, have not been considered at all."

Finally, the National Nuclear Power Plant Alliance demanded the following to safely protect local residents from radiation and safeguard their environmental rights: ▲ mandatory consent of local government heads near nuclear power plants when deciding nuclear policies ▲ sharing all nuclear power plant-related information with nearby local governments and guaranteeing the right to on-site inspection and participation in investigations in case of accidents such as nuclear plant malfunctions ▲ thorough investigation by experts recommended by the Nuclear Power Plant Alliance into accident causes and establishment of practical measures to prevent recurrence.

Kwon Ik-hyun, Vice Chairman of the National Nuclear Power Plant Alliance and County Governor, stated, "Residents near nuclear power plants are greatly anxious about their right to live due to similar malfunctions and accidents caused by typhoons rather than earthquakes," and urged, "It is urgent to establish institutional measures that allow nearby local governments to participate in nuclear policies so that residents near nuclear power plants can feel safe and focus on their main occupations."

Meanwhile, they continue to demand the government and the National Assembly to pass a bill establishing a 'Nuclear Safety Grant Tax' and to actively reflect the opinions of the 16 local governments when promoting nuclear policies to guarantee the environmental rights of residents near nuclear power plants.

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