"Prioritizing Carbon-Free Power as Alternative Industry"... Special Act on Coal-Fired Power Plants Passes Committee

Prioritizing Carbon-Free Power Generation in Regions Closing Coal-Fired Plants
Coal-Fired Power Generators May Be Designated as Security Power Sources If Needed

Kim Joungho, Chair of the National Assembly Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee, is handling the proposed bills at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on May 19, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The National Assembly Committee on Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor held both the Bill Review Subcommittee and a plenary session on May 19, passing the "Special Act on Support for Coal-Fired Power Plant Workers and Abolished Regions" (the Special Act on Coal-Fired Power Plants).

This act consolidates 17 proposed bills from both ruling and opposition party lawmakers, including Kim Sohee of the People Power Party. It contains support measures aimed at alleviating regional economic downturns and employment instability for workers caused by the closure of coal-fired power plants. The only steps remaining are review by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and final approval at a plenary session.

The bill passed on this day requires the national and local governments to prioritize the use of infrastructure from decommissioned coal-fired power plants for alternative industries in those regions, such as carbon-free power generation and other energy sectors.

In addition, if an analysis of the power grid shows that reliability and stability of power supply and the grid require it, the authorities may, instead of approving the closure plan, designate the relevant coal-fired power generator as a security power source and order necessary measures.

The bill also stipulates the establishment of a regional transition council, including local residents and workers’ representatives, to guarantee worker participation in the process of drawing up support plans for affected areas.

During the subcommittee review, some parts of the government’s alternative proposal were amended. Kim Sohee pointed out that most workers at Samcheonpo Power Plant, located in Goseong County, actually reside in Sacheon City, which was omitted from the support targets, and proposed an additional clause to the definition of affected regions to resolve this issue by including adjacent areas.

She also proposed strengthening the provision obligating the Minister of Employment and Labor to grant priority support for the employment protection of coal-fired power plant workers, changing it from a discretionary to a mandatory clause, which was accordingly revised.

Further amendments included allowing private contracts in the clause for extending contracts to protect subcontracted workers, and extending the eligible period for subcontractors from within five years of plant closure to within six years.

During discussions, there were some opinions that the provision prioritizing alternative energy industries, such as carbon-free power generation, in regions where coal-fired power plants are closed should be limited to renewable energy. However, Kim Sohee pointed out that the local governments and workers want to see other energy sources, such as clean hydrogen and small modular reactors (SMRs), included as well. As a result, the government’s original proposal was maintained.

Kim Sohee stated, "Regions affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants are suffering daily, facing enormous economic loss and population decline to the point of existential crisis. It has been deeply painful to see the delay in handling this bill," adding, "Now that the bill has finally passed the committee plenary session, I will make sure it passes the final plenary session as soon as possible so that necessary government support, such as fostering alternative industries and protecting employment for workers, can begin without further delay."

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