Hampyeong-gun Launches Resident Signature Campaign for Establishment of Nuclear Safety Grant Tax

Establishment of Nuclear Safety Grant Tax through Local Allocation Tax Act Amendment

Referred to the Public Administration and Security Committee for Review upon Agreement of 50,000 Citizens

The National Nuclear Power Plant Alliance is promoting the revision of the Local Allocation Tax Act to establish a Nuclear Safety Grant Tax through a national petition to the National Assembly.

Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do, announced on the 7th that the National Nuclear Power Plant Alliance, composed of 23 local governments near nuclear power plants, is conducting a joint petition led by Kim Young-gil, Mayor of Jung-gu, Ulsan.

The consent period is 30 days, from March 27 to April 26. If 50,000 citizens agree during this period, the petition will be referred to the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee for review of the Local Allocation Tax Act amendment.

The main background of this petition is that 5.03 million citizens in 23 local governments near nuclear power plants suffer from infringement of their right to life and environmental rights due to radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, and nuclear power plant-related incidents and accidents. Meanwhile, the local governments’ obligations for radiation disaster prevention and resident protection responsibilities have increased, but budget support remains severely insufficient.

This amendment mainly aims to provide budget support for radiation disaster prevention and resident welfare enhancement to 23 local governments, excluding the five local governments hosting nuclear power plants that receive budget support among basic local governments designated as radiation emergency planning zones.

If the Nuclear Safety Grant Tax is established, it is expected to contribute to regional balanced development by promoting resident protection and welfare projects.

County Governor Lee Sang-ik said, “The Nuclear Safety Grant Tax will be used for welfare projects for residents of the 23 local governments whose environmental and life rights are threatened,” and added, “We hope many residents will participate in agreeing to the petition.”

Meanwhile, the National Nuclear Power Plant Alliance plans to carry out a signature campaign for one million residents from May to July to urge the establishment of the Nuclear Safety Grant Tax.