Legal Guarantee for Health Survey of Residents Near Daejeon Yuseong Reactor

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Legal grounds have been established for a health survey of residents near the Hanaro research reactor in Yuseong, Daejeon.

According to Daejeon City on the 13th, the partial amendment to the "Nuclear Safety Act" containing this content will take effect from March 11 next year.

Based on the amended law, about 31,000 residents of Sinseong, Gwanpyeong, and Gujeuk-dong in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, will be included in the health impact survey target going forward.

Before the amendment, the Nuclear Safety Act limited the scope of radiation health impact surveys to areas near power reactors and related facilities.

Because of this, although the area near the Hanaro research reactor was included in the radiation emergency planning zone under the "Act on Protection of Nuclear Facilities and Measures against Radiation Disasters," it was not included in the health impact survey scope, raising issues of fairness.

However, through the related legal amendment, residents of the three neighborhoods including Sinseong-dong will now be included in the health impact survey target, ensuring the residents' right to health.

Previously, the city repeatedly explained the necessity of the health impact survey and proposed improvements to local political circles, the National Assembly, and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission.

Yang Seung-chan, Director of the Citizen Safety Office of the city, said, "Through close cooperation with local political circles, we have been able to secure the safety of nuclear facilities and guarantee the health rights of local residents," adding, "The city plans to additionally promote the establishment of a nuclear safety grant tax, designation of a nuclear safety information sharing center, and the establishment of a support system for private environmental monitoring organizations for nuclear facilities."

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