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Taebaek City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Mayor Lee Sang-ho) announced on the 18th that it has been finally selected in the site attraction contest for the ‘Underground Research Lab’ (URL), jointly hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency.

The contest began with a project briefing session for local governments on June 21, and Taebaek City submitted its attraction plan on August 2.

On the 18th, Taebaek City in Gangwon Province was finally selected in the site attraction contest for the 'Research Underground Research Facility,' jointly hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency. Lee Sang-ho, the mayor (center in the photo), along with Taebaek City Hall officials and related personnel, are celebrating. Photo by Taebaek City Hall

Despite the tight schedule of 45 days, the city held a residents’ briefing session to build community consensus and resolve questions, signed a business agreement with the Gangwon Provincial Council, and responded to the contest systematically and strategically by submitting the attraction plan. After submission, continuous promotion was carried out to ensure the local residents’ right to know and build consensus, and opportunities were provided for direct visits to related facilities.

At the site selection evaluation committee held on the 20th of last month, Mayor Lee Sang-ho personally expressed his determination to attract the facility, and through the united efforts of all public officials and citizens, the city was able to be finally selected in the contest.

Mayor Lee Sang-ho of Taebaek said, "The selection in this Underground Research Lab contest is a great achievement made together by all Taebaek city officials and citizens," adding, "The underground research facility will receive a total government investment of 513.8 billion KRW, and is expected to expand into R&D projects in the future, with over 1 trillion KRW in research funds and research personnel投入. This will greatly revitalize Taebaek’s economy and play a major role in advancing the city as a cutting-edge research city and a clean energy city."

Meanwhile, the Underground Research Lab is a pure research facility located about 500 meters underground, similar to a disposal facility for radioactive waste, designed to demonstrate the performance and safety of Korea’s unique bedrock characteristics and Korean-style disposal system. No high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel will be brought in at all. The selected site is located within the Go-won Natural Recreation Forest in Cheoram-dong, Taebaek City.