Shin Euijoon, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member, "Firm Response to Wando-Jeju Maritime Dispute"

Shin Euijoon, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Wando 2), announced on the 6th at the Jeonnam Provincial Government that he would firmly oppose the maritime boundary dispute between Jeonnam (Wando) and Jeju during the 'Council for Response to the Authority Dispute Judgment Request on Maritime Boundaries'.

This council meeting was attended by 18 public and private representatives, including officials from 10 coastal cities and counties in Jeonnam and attorneys from Law Firm Sejong. The participants pointed out that Jeju's authority dispute lawsuit is unjust and discussed legal and administrative strategies to counter it. They also focused on discovering factual and actual survey data to support effective control, as well as promotional strategies.

Officials from the "Maritime Boundary Authority Dispute Adjudication Response Council" between Wando and Jeju Island are taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Jeonnam Provincial Council

Shin, who leads the Wando Sea Guardians Pan-County Countermeasures Committee, emphasized the injustice of Jeju's authority dispute lawsuit and explained the local community's response plan. Currently, Jeju has filed a request for a constitutional judgment on authority dispute, claiming that Jeonnam (Wando-gun)'s approval for the installation of a wind measurement device near Sasudo infringed on Jeju's jurisdiction over public waters.

Near Chujado, Jeju, a Norwegian state-owned company is pursuing a large-scale offshore wind power development project. Although wind turbines are scheduled to be installed in this area, due to the saturation of renewable energy in Jeju, the generated electricity is expected to be routed through Jeonnam to the Shingangjin Substation. Therefore, obtaining permits for the use of public waters and connecting the power grid for the wind turbines has become a crucial issue.

However, with Jeju filing a request for an authority dispute judgment regarding Wando-gun's permit for the installation of an offshore wind measurement device, the issue of jurisdiction over these waters has emerged as a key point of contention. In particular, the waters near Sasudo, where the authority dispute has been filed, are located between Soan-myeon in Wando and Chuja-myeon in Jeju, and are considered vital for fishing activities and maritime transportation.

Shin stated, "The fundamental cause of the maritime boundary dispute is the issue of establishing offshore wind power industrial complexes," and took a firm stance, saying, "There can be no consultation on the power grid for the Chujado wind power complex in Jeju until we win the maritime boundary dispute." He added, "We must protect the sea of Jeonnam," and emphasized, "Jeonnam Province and its cities and counties must work closely together to respond strongly."