Minju Denies Any Discussion on Solar Power National Audit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, stated that a consensus was formed with Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding a national audit on the solar power project. However, the Democratic Party denied this, saying it was "not true at all."

On the afternoon of the 10th, Kim Young-jin, senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, sent a message to reporters titled "Position on the special committee matters discussed in the ruling and opposition parties' private meeting," stating, "There was no discussion about a solar power-related national audit at that time," and added, "It is inappropriate to disclose matters that have not been agreed upon."

Earlier, Floor Leader Joo said in a phone interview with Yonhap News Agency, "Our position is that the reckless solar power project has damaged the environment and energy policy is flawed," and "I proposed a special committee or national audit during a meeting with Floor Leader Kim at the end of last month. (The Democratic Party) also agreed to do it."

Senior Deputy Floor Leader Kim added, "In the private meeting between the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties, the Democratic Party proposed a 'National Balanced Development Special Committee,' and the United Future Party proposed an 'Energy Special Committee,' agreeing to review them together, but no final agreement was reached."

Meanwhile, the reason Floor Leader Joo mentioned the national audit on the solar power project is that the government’s reckless solar power development project recently caused landslides, according to his view. Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, told reporters, "We will thoroughly verify the current situation and determine what problems there were with the solar power installations on the mountains."

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, also demanded an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection and a national audit at the supreme council meeting, saying, "The unsightly solar power facilities that have been dug up all over the country have paralyzed the natural flood control function," and "The ground has weakened, causing landslides in many places, and the soil washed down has covered numerous villages, resulting in casualties."