Democratic Party Carbon Neutrality Committee Takes Strong Action Against Energy University Funding Cuts

Meeting Between Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Energy University Officials

Shin Jeong-hoon: "Right to Education Should Not Be Shaken by Politics"

The Carbon Neutrality Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea strongly demanded a "full withdrawal" of Minister Lee Chang-yang of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's announcement to reduce Korea Electric Power Corporation's (KEPCO) contribution to Korea Energy Engineering University and took strong action.

According to the office of National Assembly member Shin Jeong-hoon on the 1st, on the same day, the Democratic Party's Carbon Neutrality Committee visited KEPCO headquarters and held a meeting with KEPCO officials, including Lee Junho, Vice President of KEPCO's Safety Business Division, who oversees school-related projects.

Park Chang-hwan, Vice Governor of Jeonnam Province, and Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju City, also attended.

At the meeting, Kim Jeong-ho, Chairman of the Carbon Neutrality Committee, said, "Farmers always save seeds for next year's crops no matter how hungry they are," adding, "KEPCO's seed is the Energy University. Please do not be swayed by the government and confidently respond to the funding support."

Lee Junho, Vice President of KEPCO, replied, "We will do our best to ensure that the purpose of establishing Korea Energy Engineering University is not undermined," but added, "Please understand that due to financial difficulties, we intend to adjust the timing of executing unnecessary budgets."

Earlier, the Carbon Neutrality Committee visited Korea Energy Engineering University to listen to the school's difficulties regarding the reduction of contributions and held a meeting with President Yoon Ui-jun and other school officials.

The school appealed, "If KEPCO's contribution is drastically cut, it will inevitably disrupt the existing campus construction plans and have a fatal impact on academic operations," emphasizing, "Sufficient financial support is urgently needed to foster new energy technologies to overcome the climate crisis and to guarantee the learning rights of excellent students."

Assemblyman Lee Byung-hoon stated, "The reduction of contributions to the Energy University is a matter directly related to the nation's survival," and urged, "KEPCO should take the lead and act based on objective standards."

Assemblyman Shin Jeong-hoon emphasized, "If KEPCO's reduction of contributions to the Energy University becomes a reality, it will inevitably cause significant disruptions to campus construction and school operations," and added, "The Democratic Party will actively fight to stop the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's excessive destabilization of Korea Energy Engineering University."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party's Carbon Neutrality Committee plans to continue urging the withdrawal of the reduction of contributions to Korea Energy Engineering University through parliamentary activities such as government questioning and standing committee sessions, starting with the on-site visit schedule on this day.

Assemblyman Shin Jeong-hoon said, "The Democratic Party will fight to ensure that students' learning rights are not infringed upon and that promises made to the public and students are not shaken for political purposes."