People Power Party: "President Moon Must Revive Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4... Will Take Legal Action"

People Power Party's Special Committee on Truth Investigation of Nuclear Phase-out and North Korea Nuclear Issues Holds Press Conference at National Assembly on 23rd

The People Power Party's Special Committee for the Investigation of the Bukwon Nuclear Power Plant is holding a press conference related to Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] The opposition party has called on President Moon Jae-in to revive the 'Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4' project.

On the 23rd, the People Power Party's Special Committee for the Truth Investigation on Nuclear Phase-out and North Korean Nuclear Policy held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "We will take all legal and administrative measures related to the construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4." The special committee is composed of lawmakers Kwon Seong-dong, Lee Cheol-gyu, Yoon Han-hong, Seong Il-jong, Cho Tae-yong, Kim Young-sik, Koo Ja-geun, Kim Woong, and Cho Soo-jin.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the day before that it would extend the construction plan approval period granted to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power for Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4, which was set to expire on the 27th, until the end of 2023. In response, the special committee stated, "This is a step toward terminating the project, not resuming construction," and criticized it as "effectively a death sentence for nuclear power in our country."

The special committee further pointed out, "The sunk cost for Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 alone amounts to at least 650 billion won," adding, "If construction is canceled, the economic damage is estimated to reach trillions of won, including the worsening economy in the Uljin region of Gyeongbuk and the bankruptcy of related companies. Already, about 270 nuclear power-related partner companies in the Gyeongnam region and 170 in the Changwon area are experiencing severe management crises."

They placed full responsibility for the nuclear phase-out policy on the Blue House and President Moon. The special committee said, "Two Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy officials have already been detained, and the Board of Audit and Inspection is conducting an audit on the nuclear phase-out policy. We urge President Moon to stop sacrificing innocent public officials, apologize, and restore energy policy to its original state," adding, "He must take responsibility for all economic losses caused by the abandonment of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4."

The People Power Party also announced plans to launch a nationwide "Save Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4" campaign.

The special committee emphasized, "We hope President Moon will remember that energy policy should be implemented for the people, not for the regime," and earnestly appealed, "We sincerely ask that no more sins be committed against history."