Shim Deok-seop, the former governor of Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk, posted hashtags on SNS such as ‘#NuclearSafetyGrantTax #1MillionResidentSignatureCampaign #NationalNuclearPowerAlliance’ on the 26th, hoping for active participation in the 1 million resident signature campaign urging the establishment of the Nuclear Safety Grant Tax.
Shim Deok-seop, Gochang County Governor, Campaign for Signature Drive to Establish New Nuclear Power Plant Safety Grant Tax [Photo by Gochang County]
At the same time, he nominated Yoon Joon-byung, a member of the National Assembly representing the district, Lim Jeong-ho, chairman of the Gochang County Council, and Park Hyun-guk, governor of Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongbuk, a member city of the National Nuclear Power Alliance, urging the continuation of the SNS challenge.
So far, residents of Gochang-gun living near nuclear power plants have received no budget support for radiation disaster prevention measures and resident safety due to the problem of support systems centered on nuclear power plant locations.
In response, 23 local governments near nuclear power plants nationwide, including Gochang-gun, have formed and are operating the ‘National Alliance of Areas Near Nuclear Power Plants’ to supplement institutional gaps.
They are especially continuously proposing measures such as establishing the Nuclear Safety Grant Tax within the Local Allocation Tax Act and expanding the taxation scope of the Local Resource Facility Tax within the Local Tax Act to include areas surrounding nuclear power plants.
This 1 million resident signature campaign is being promoted to help the public understand the necessity of establishing the Nuclear Safety Grant Tax and to promote radiation accident prevention among 5.03 million residents of 23 local governments near nuclear power plants nationwide.
There are plans to deliver the signed petitions to the political circles and relevant government departments to convey the wishes of the people.
Governor Shim said, “In the case of nuclear power plants, it is necessary to improve the unreasonable system centered on the location and secure funds for establishing radiation disaster prevention measures in preparation for nuclear accidents for residents living near nuclear power plants.”
He added, “We will actively promote this in solidarity with the local governments of the National Nuclear Power Alliance to ensure that the Nuclear Safety Grant Tax is definitely established.”
Gochang = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jae-gil baekok@asiae.co.kr
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