Environmental Group Calls for Reassessment of Feasibility for Dangjin LNG Terminal Phase 2 Construction

Dangjin, Chungnam Environmental Movement Association, and Climate Solution
File Public Audit Request with the Board of Audit and Inspection on the 17th

Climate and environmental organizations including Dangjin Environmental Movement Federation hold a press conference at the briefing room of Dangjin City Hall, Chungnam on the 19th. Photo by Dangjin Environmental Movement Federation

Climate and environmental groups in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, have called for the suspension of the Dangjin LNG Terminal Phase 2 construction project, which is being carried out by Korea Gas Corporation in the Seokmun National Industrial Complex. They are also demanding a re-evaluation of the project's feasibility, and have filed a public audit request with the Board of Audit and Inspection.

The Dangjin Environmental Movement Association, the Chungnam Environmental Movement Association, and Climate Solution held a press conference at Dangjin City Hall on the 19th, announcing that they had filed a public audit request with the Board of Audit and Inspection regarding the Dangjin LNG Terminal Phase 2 construction project on the 17th.

During the press conference, they stated, "The Dangjin LNG Terminal construction project passed a preliminary feasibility study in 2019 based on projections that natural gas demand would increase. However, due to the recent acceleration of carbon neutrality policies, domestic and international energy policies have shifted rapidly, and LNG demand is now expected to decrease." They added, "Despite these changes, Korea Gas Corporation is pushing ahead with the Phase 2 project without re-evaluating its feasibility in light of the new circumstances."

They continued, "Korea Gas Corporation must halt the forced construction of the Dangjin LNG Terminal Phase 2 and conduct a re-evaluation of the project's feasibility. The company should establish LNG demand forecasts that align with carbon neutrality policies and stop unnecessary expansion of gas infrastructure." They also urged, "The Board of Audit and Inspection must conduct a thorough audit on this matter."

Son Changwon, executive director of the Dangjin Environmental Movement Association, expressed concern, saying, "Dangjin is the number one region in the country for greenhouse gas emissions. If all LNG terminals are constructed as originally planned, related gas-consuming industries will become concentrated here. As a result, Dangjin will inevitably remain the top greenhouse gas emitting region."

Hwang Seongryeol, executive representative of the Chungnam Environmental Movement Association, argued, "Not only Dangjin but most areas of South Chungcheong Province are promoting the development of hydrogen industries based on LNG. There needs to be a public discussion on whether a hydrogen industry based on LNG, a fossil fuel, is truly the right future for the region."

After the press conference, the groups announced plans to further expand local discussions on the issues arising from the construction of the LNG terminal and the expansion of gas usage, following their public audit request to the Board of Audit and Inspection.