Jung Jong-bok, Gijang County Governor, Delivers Letter to KEPCO Urging Underground Construction of the 154kV Gijang-Jangan Transmission Line Project

Jung Jong-bok, the head of Gijang County, delivered a letter urging Manja to the head of KEPCO Southern Construction Headquarters.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] On the 14th, Jeong Jong-bok, the mayor of Gijang County, met with the head of the Southern Construction Headquarters of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and reiterated his position urging the underground construction of the ‘154㎸ Gijang-Jangan Transmission Line Construction Project,’ delivering a ‘letter of request.’

Gijang County has continuously demanded underground construction to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KEPCO regarding the ‘154㎸ Gijang-Jangan Transmission Line Construction Project’ implemented by KEPCO.

This is because the transmission line project area passes through Ilgwangsan and Dareumsan, famous mountains of Gijang County, and the planned Jangan residential development site?areas with high tourism development potential and future value?thus damaging the pristine natural scenery and potentially imposing significant constraints on the development of Gijang County, which is emerging as the central city of East Busan.

Despite Gijang County’s demands for underground construction, on September 13, 2022, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy approved the power development project implementation plan.

On this day, Mayor Jeong Jong-bok, while delivering the letter, stated, “Currently, our county already has 293 transmission towers on 19 lines constructed for transmission from the Kori and Saeul nuclear power plants to other regions, which severely damage the natural scenery and residential environment throughout Gijang.” He pointed out, “KEPCO has already secured underground construction technology for 154㎸ lines, so it would be reasonable to construct the 154㎸ Gijang-Jangan line underground along National Road No. 14.”

He strongly urged, “KEPCO should not approach the construction of transmission lines solely from an economic feasibility perspective but actively reconsider underground construction from a long-term regional development and future-oriented viewpoint. If underground construction is not accepted, it will face strong resistance from residents.”