Unified Voices from Tonghap and Gukmin: "Solar Power Generation Should Be Suspected of Landslide Connection"

by Lim Chunhan

Published 10 Aug.2020 10:10(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] The opposition parties, including the United Future Party and the People's Party, have raised suspicions about the connection between landslides caused by flood damage and solar power facilities. They claim that solar power facilities have weakened the mountain's flood control function, acting as a factor that triggered landslides.

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, said at the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 10th, "I extend my deepest condolences to those suffering greatly from the flood damage," and added, "The government should declare the flood-affected areas as special disaster zones and make every effort to ensure that relief for flood victims and damage recovery are carried out promptly." On that day, the backdrop banner at the United Future Party Emergency Committee meeting displayed the phrase, "What we must do now is to minimize the damage to the people."

He said, "Recently, many landslides have occurred along with heavy rain, and there are also criticisms of reckless development of solar power facilities," and emphasized, "While making thorough preparations for flood recovery, I hope that full measures will be taken to prevent such floods and disasters from happening again."

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People's Party, also said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "An audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection should be conducted immediately regarding the connection between the solar power facilities spreading across the country and the recent landslides and flood damage," and pointed out, "According to experts, the unsightly solar power facilities, which have been built by digging up every mountain and valley across the country, have paralyzed the natural flood control function."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "As a result, the ground weakened, causing landslides in many places, and the soil washed down covered numerous villages, causing casualties," and added, "There are growing suspicions of corruption in the permit process."

Leader Ahn stated, "The planned installation of solar power facilities should be suspended entirely, and an immediate audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection should be conducted to clarify the problems in the permit process of solar power facilities and their connection to flood damage," and proposed, "I suggest that the ruling and opposition parties approve this at the upcoming extraordinary parliamentary audit session scheduled for this month." He also emphasized that they will push for a joint national investigation by the opposition parties into solar power corruption and flood damage.