Gyeongbuk Province Proposes to Government "Public Discussion on Resuming Construction of Uljin Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4"

Formation of 'Provincial and City-County Joint TF' for Compensation and Measures Regarding Wolseong Unit 1 Damage

Panoramic view of Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Regarding the Audit Board's audit results on the early shutdown of Wolseong Unit 1, Gyeongsangbuk-do is showing prompt action by forming a task force team together with nuclear power plant local governments such as Gyeongju City and Uljin County to prepare joint response measures.

On the 21st, Gyeongbuk Province held a meeting at the East Sea Regional Headquarters with officials from Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant (Wolseong Nuclear Power Headquarters) and Hanul Nuclear Power Plant (Hanul Nuclear Power Headquarters) to discuss response measures to minimize regional economic damage caused by the early shutdown of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 and the suspension of construction of Uljin Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4.

At the meeting, participants decided to strongly demand government support measures commensurate with the damage suffered by Gyeongju and Uljin due to the government's energy transition policy. They also plan to propose to the government to allow a public deliberation process to promptly decide on the resumption of construction for Uljin Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4.

Furthermore, since the design life of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Units 2, 3, and 4 will expire between 2026 and 2029, it was agreed to decide on extension through transparent and fair economic evaluations, and to actively work with the government, Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to extend the design life.

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, emphasized, "The regional damage caused by the early shutdown of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 in Gyeongju is so enormous that government-level support is urgently needed by any means." He added, "Since nuclear power is economically viable as a base load power source and is an eco-friendly energy with no greenhouse gas emissions, its importance is being highlighted again. We will strive to prepare reasonable measures to resume construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4."