The 14th Public Discussion in Changwon, Gyeongnam
Supplying Nuclear Power Plant Work Worth 3.3 Trillion Won
Over 4 Trillion Won Investment in Nuclear Power Plant R&D Over 5 Years
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 14th "Public Livelihood Discussion" held on the 22nd at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office in Changwon, Gyeongnam, under the theme "Revitalizing the Nuclear Power Industry, Energetic Changwon and Gyeongnam." [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol announced on the 22nd that "this year will be the first year of a nuclear power renaissance, with 3.3 trillion won worth of nuclear power projects and 1 trillion won in special financing being supplied." Over the five years of the current administration, more than 4 trillion won will be invested in nuclear power research and development (R&D), the 'Special Act on Supporting the Nuclear Power Industry' will be enacted, and a '2050 Mid- to Long-term Nuclear Power Roadmap' will be established to actively foster the nuclear power ecosystem.
On the same day, President Yoon presided over the 14th public discussion forum themed "Revitalizing the Nuclear Power Industry, Vibrant Changwon and Gyeongnam" at the Gyeongnam Provincial Office in Changwon, Gyeongnam, and pledged to restore the nuclear power ecosystem that was damaged by the phase-out policy and to revitalize the regional economy of Changwon and Gyeongnam.
In his opening remarks, President Yoon explained, "Since taking office, we have resumed construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4, and initiated the continued operation procedures for 10 nuclear reactors that were prohibited by the previous administration." He added, "During the past five years of the previous government, we achieved nuclear power exports worth 4 trillion won, more than six times the total order amount, prioritizing the normalization of nuclear power policy and the nuclear power ecosystem."
In particular, to make this year the first year of a nuclear power resurgence, the government will supply 3.3 trillion won worth of nuclear power projects and 1 trillion won in special financing. President Yoon emphasized, "We will include facility investments and R&D for nuclear power manufacturing in tax support to back corporate investment activities," and "We will invest more than 4 trillion won in nuclear power R&D over the five years of the current administration so that nuclear power companies, workers, and students majoring in nuclear energy at universities can focus on their business activities and studies."
Additionally, the government plans to strengthen the institutional foundation by enacting the 'Special Act on Supporting the Nuclear Power Industry' and establish a '2050 Mid- to Long-term Nuclear Power Roadmap' to create a stable nuclear power ecosystem aimed at achieving carbon neutrality.
Furthermore, President Yoon announced plans to transform the Changwon Industrial Complex, which marks its 50th anniversary this year, into a convergence space where culture and industry coexist by lifting uniform use regulations and industry restrictions. The 'Sanridan-gil Project' will be actively promoted to remodel the industrial complex into a youth-friendly area by creating walkable streets and a youth complex cultural center throughout the complex.
President Yoon stated, "In Changwon, where companies had no choice but to turn away due to a lack of sites for building factories, we will lift the greenbelt and actively support investments exceeding 20 trillion won in regional strategic industries, including the establishment of a 'Defense and Nuclear Convergence National Industrial Complex.'"
In Geoje City, Gyeongnam, a 'Corporate Innovation Park' pilot project will be promoted. President Yoon said, "We will mobilize all policy means to support cooperation between companies and Geoje City to establish hubs for culture and arts, information and communication technology (ICT), and bio-medical industries. In addition to Geoje, we will select additional pilot projects to expand Corporate Innovation Parks nationwide."
He added, "We will invest 3 trillion won over 10 years to develop a southern regional wide-area tourism network connecting Gyeongnam, Busan, Ulsan, and Honam, starting this year, to develop the southern region into a future tourism hub."
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