Chungnam Province Urges Enactment of Special Law Supporting Coal-Fired Power Plant Phase-Out in 22nd National Assembly

Assemblywoman Lee So-young's Pledge to Enact the Coal Phase-Out Act in the 22nd General Election

The Chungnam Province has once again urged the enactment of a special law to support areas where coal-fired power plants are being phased out, a bill that failed to pass in the 21st National Assembly.

Nam Seung-hong, Director of the Carbon Neutral Economy Division of the province, emphasized the need for the special law during the "Legislative Forum on Coal Phase-Out Laws to Address the Climate Crisis" held at the National Assembly on the 30th.

As of the end of last year, there are a total of 59 coal-fired power plants operating in South Korea, with 29 of them located along the west coast of Chungnam.

The government plans to gradually shut down 28 plants, including 14 coal-fired power plants in the province, by 2036 and replace them with liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants.

In regions where the coal-fired power industry holds a significant share of the local economy, the closure of these plants inevitably leads to population decline, economic contraction, and job reductions.

For example, in Boryeong City, following the early closure of Boryeong Power Plants 1 and 2 in December 2020, the population decreased by about 1,800 in 2021, dropping below 100,000. Local government revenue fell by approximately 4.4 billion KRW, and consumer spending decreased by 19 billion KRW.

Director Nam stated, "In a survey conducted last year among 1,447 residents of the closure areas and power plant employees, 60.1% expressed a strong demand for industrial measures such as fostering alternative industries," adding, "Actions in the economic and industrial sectors are absolutely necessary."

He further emphasized, "To prevent opposition from stakeholders and regional extinction, support systems must be established and supplemented before the full-scale closure schedule begins after 2025," and expressed hope that "the special law will definitely be enacted in the 22nd National Assembly."

Meanwhile, Lee So-young, a member of the Democratic Party who proposed the coal phase-out law as her first pledge in the 22nd general election, held a forum on the first day of the National Assembly session to demonstrate strong determination.