Shin Euijoon, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member, Urges Strong Response to Wando-Jeju Maritime Boundary Dispute

Call for "Power Grid Linkage Consultation"

Shin Euijun, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Wando 2), has strongly urged a firm response to the maritime boundary dispute between Jeonnam and Jeju Province regarding the construction of an offshore wind farm near Chuja Island in Jeju.

Shin stated on the 11th that during the 387th temporary session's Energy Industry Bureau work report, he called on Jeonnam Province to discuss the Wando-Jeju maritime boundary issue in connection with the power grid linkage.

Shin Euijun, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member.

Currently, a large-scale offshore wind power development project is being promoted by a Norwegian state-owned company in the waters near Chuja Island, Jeju. Although the offshore wind turbines are planned to be installed in the waters of Chuja Island, due to the saturation of renewable energy in Jeju, the power grid is expected to be connected through Jeonnam to the Singangjin Substation.

Accordingly, resolving issues related to the use and occupancy of public waters for wind turbine installation and the power grid connection must take precedence. In particular, the jurisdictional issue over these waters has emerged as a new point of contention after Jeju Province filed a constitutional adjudication for a competence dispute regarding the permit for the use and occupancy of public waters for installing a wind measurement device by Wando County.

As the chairman of the Wando Sea Guardians Pan-County Countermeasures Committee, Shin has pointed out the unfairness of Jeju Province's competence dispute lawsuit and is working to prove, through the discovery of historical facts, that Jangsudo (currently Sasudo), which was taken by Jeju, is in fact an island belonging to Jeonnam. He is also taking proactive steps, such as preparing joint response measures with neighboring cities and counties.

Shin emphasized, "Consultation with Jeonnam Province is essential for transmitting the power generated by the Chuja Island wind farm to the mainland," adding, "This consultation should be linked to resolving the maritime boundary dispute."

In response, Kang Sanggu, Director of the Energy Industry Bureau, stated, "We will never agree to power grid consultations with Jeju Province unless several conditions are improved," and added, "We will not back down on the maritime boundary issue."