Kim Dong-cheol, KEPCO President: "East Seoul Substation Expansion Blocked by 'Electromagnetic Wave Rumors'... 300 Billion KRW Annual Loss if Project Delayed"

Kim Dong-chul, President of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), recently confronted Hanam City's refusal to grant permits for the expansion of the Dongseoul Substation facilities, citing concerns over electromagnetic waves, calling it "a baseless rumor fueled by malicious claims and black propaganda from a small group of forces."

At a press briefing held on the 28th at the Government Complex Sejong, President Kim stated, "The construction of power grids is the core of national competitiveness in the era of global unlimited competition. Therefore, power grid construction can no longer be delayed or stalled for any reason, and I am here to emphasize this point."

Kim Dong-cheol, President of Korea Electric Power Corporation, held a press conference at the Government Sejong Complex on the 28th to express his position on the recent final disapproval of the equipment expansion at the Dongseoul Substation in Hanam City.

원본보기 아이콘

On the 21st, Hanam City denied KEPCO's permit for the indoor installation of the Dongseoul Substation and the expansion of the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converter station, following residents' concerns about the harmful effects of electromagnetic waves.

A KEPCO official explained, "Although the harmful health effects of electromagnetic waves have not been scientifically verified, many social costs are incurred due to complaints about electromagnetic waves. When power facility electromagnetic waves are measured at a distance of more than 100 meters, their intensity is similar to that generated by household appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators."

President Kim expressed concern that if the Dongseoul Substation facility expansion project is delayed, stable power supply to the metropolitan area would become structurally impossible. He said, "Even if power is generated, it cannot be transmitted, inevitably restricting power generation in the East Coast region and increasing connection limitations for renewable energy in the southern region. If the East Coast-Metropolitan HVDC construction project is delayed, citizens will have to bear an additional 300 billion KRW in electricity bills annually."

The East Coast-Metropolitan HVDC construction project was originally scheduled for completion in June 2026. However, due to Hanam City's refusal to grant permits, project delays are inevitable. KEPCO plans to file administrative appeals and lawsuits next month. Typically, if litigation proceeds through three trials, it takes about two and a half years. Based on this, KEPCO estimates that if the HVDC completion is delayed until December 2028, an additional cost of approximately 750 billion KRW will be incurred. A KEPCO official pointed out, "Instead of relatively cheap nuclear and coal power plants located on the East Coast, electricity must be supplied through liquefied natural gas (LNG) power generation in the metropolitan area. This will increase costs by about 300 billion KRW annually, inevitably leading to electricity rate hikes."

President Kim also argued that if the East Coast-Metropolitan HVDC construction project faces setbacks, it could negatively impact power supply to the Yongin semiconductor cluster. He emphasized, "Since Korea's power grid is a single network, if one part malfunctions or encounters an accident, it inevitably affects the entire country. If the line from the East Coast to the metropolitan area is delayed, it will burden other lines and ultimately affect the Yongin semiconductor located in the southern metropolitan area."

KEPCO plans to verify electromagnetic wave concerns raised by residents regarding the Dongseoul Substation through a third-party organization. A KEPCO official explained, "Although KEPCO has explained misunderstandings about electromagnetic waves, residents do not trust us. We plan to announce scientific verification results on electromagnetic waves through a third-party organization that the public can trust."

President Kim stated, "It has been 140 years since electricity was introduced, and all scientific verifications regarding electromagnetic waves have been completed during this time. I believe electromagnetic waves are not a problem." He added, "KEPCO will do everything possible to persuade residents and gain their understanding."

Regarding the timing and extent of electricity rate hikes, President Kim was cautious, saying, "This is a matter for the government to decide," while emphasizing the necessity of the increase. He said, "Over the past two years, before normalizing electricity rates, KEPCO has made every effort possible, including cost reduction, workforce downsizing, voluntary retirement, and wage sacrifices. By the end of 2027, KEPCO must reduce its bond issuance ratio by half. If electricity rates are adjusted at that time, it would require an increase to a level that the public would find difficult to bear. Therefore, I believe it is right to prepare gradually from now on."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.