'Conflict Escalates Between Hampyeong Residents and KHNP Over Extension of Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 and 2 Lifespan'

Residents File Injunction to Halt 'Resident Opinion Collection and Public Hearing' Process

KHNP Opposes, Plans to Proceed with Public Hearings Scheduled for 17-28

Conflicts are deepening between the residents of Hampyeong County and the Hanbit Nuclear Power Headquarters of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) over the lifespan extension procedures for Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 and 2.

While the residents have requested the suspension of the public opinion collection process, including public hearings, the Hanbit Nuclear Power Headquarters insists on proceeding with the public hearings without disruption.

On March 11, the 'Yeonggwang Hanbit Units 1 and 2 Lifespan Extension Protest Rally'.
[Photo by Kim Geonwan yacht@]

According to the Hampyeong County resident lawsuit group on the 11th, they plan to file a provisional injunction on the same day to halt the public opinion collection process (including holding public hearings) on the draft radiation environmental impact assessment report against KHNP and residents within the radiation emergency planning zone of Hanbit Units 1 and 2.

Previously, on October 10 last year, KHNP's Hanbit Nuclear Power Headquarters submitted the draft radiation environmental impact assessment report for the lifespan extension of Hanbit Units 1 and 2 to six basic local governments within the radiation emergency planning zone of Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant. These local governments are Yeonggwang, Hampyeong, Muan, and Jangseong counties in Jeollanam-do, and Gochang and Buan counties in Jeollabuk-do.

However, four local governments?Yeonggwang, Hampyeong, Gochang, and Buan counties?have suspended the public inspection process and submitted supplementary opinions to KHNP.

The reason is that during the 10-day review period, they found several issues such as the draft not applying the latest technical standards, failing to properly assume severe accidents, omitting impact assessments of multiple unit accidents, and not reflecting resident evacuation and protection measures.

Afterwards, KHNP withdrew the lawsuit following criticism that it was "pressuring local governments," but Yeonggwang, Buan, and Gochang counties proceeded with the public inspection. However, Hampyeong County has requested supplementation from KHNP and is holding off on the public inspection, with residents planning to hold a press conference at Hampyeong County Office at 10:30 a.m. on the same day.

Despite this situation, KHNP is reportedly planning to hold public hearings scheduled from the 17th to the 28th. The schedule is as follows: ▲17th at the Culture Hall in Gochang County, Jeollabuk-do ▲18th at the Noeulbit Garden Auditorium in Julpo-myeon, Buan County, Jeollabuk-do ▲20th at the Multipurpose Center in Haeje-myeon, Muan County, Jeollanam-do ▲21st at the Arts Hall in Yeonggwang County, Jeollanam-do ▲22nd at the Culture and Arts Center in Jangseong County, Jeollanam-do.

A KHNP official stated, "We plan to review the opinions collected at the public hearings and those received during the prior public inspection, reflect them in the radiation environmental impact assessment report, and submit it to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission."

Hanbit Units 1 and 2 are located in Yeonggwang County, Jeollanam-do, and began commercial operation in 1986 and 1987, respectively, now approaching the end of their lifespan. Based on safety verification, they are in the initial stages of continued operation to run for an additional 10 years each. However, the design lifespan of nuclear power plants is a maximum of 40 years. This is because as nuclear plants operate beyond 30 years on average, corrosion and malfunctions become frequent. Nuclear-related laws allow extended operation if safety standards are met even after the design lifespan expires.

In January 2021, the Moon administration announced in the "9th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand" that Hanbit Unit 1 would be decommissioned in 2025 and Unit 2 in 2026. However, the Yoon administration's "10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand," announced last year, postponed the decommissioning of Hanbit Units 1 and 2 by 10 years. The government is promoting continued operation of 10 aging nuclear reactors, including Hanbit Units 1 and 2, Kori Units 2, 3, and 4, and Wolsong Unit 2, which are approaching the end of their design lifespan by 2030.