Democratic Party Rep. Lee Gae-ho Leads Amendment Bill for 'Support Act for Areas Around Power Plants'

Current support criteria under the law are based on normal power plant operation periods and output

Revised to provide support even during shutdowns caused by nuclear power plant operators' fault, such as poor construction

Expected to revita

Lee Gae-ho, Member of the National Assembly of the Democratic Party of Korea.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Lee Gaeho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Jeonnam Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, Jangseong), announced on the 16th that he has taken the lead in proposing the "Partial Amendment to the Act on Support for Areas Surrounding Power Plants" (hereinafter referred to as the Power Plant Surrounding Area Support Act), which mandates support for areas surrounding power plants even when operations are halted due to the fault of nuclear power plant operators, such as poor construction.

According to Article 13-2 of the current Power Plant Surrounding Area Support Act, support projects for areas surrounding power plants are to be implemented using the power plant operator's own funds, considering the normal operation period and power generation volume of nuclear power plants and other power plants.

Accordingly, when operations are suspended for a long period due to reasons attributable to the power plant operator, such as defects in nuclear power plant protective walls caused by poor construction and corrosion of internal steel plates, the affected areas do not receive support, leading to economic stagnation and disruptions in public welfare and safety projects targeting local residents.

Therefore, the proposed amendment allows power plant operators to continue support projects for surrounding areas even during operation suspension periods caused by the operator's fault, in addition to regular inspections conducted under the Nuclear Safety Act, thereby preventing damages such as suspension of support for areas surrounding power plants.

Representative Lee Gaeho stated, "When nuclear power plant operations are halted for extended periods due to the operator's fault, local residents not only experience increased anxiety about safety but also suffer from a double burden as public welfare and safety projects for residents around the power plant and local government support projects are suspended."

He added, "By ensuring continued support for areas surrounding power plants during operation suspension periods caused by the nuclear power plant operator's fault, we hope to contribute to revitalizing the local economy and continuously securing safety measures for residents around nuclear power plants, thereby minimizing damages."

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