[Reporter’s Notebook] Lee Hyunjae’s Standoff in Hanam

The national backbone network project is now at risk of being derailed due to the political calculations of a local government. This refers to Korea Electric Power Corporation's (KEPCO) plan to expand the Dongseoul Substation. Hanam is the final gateway for the transmission line that will deliver electricity produced on the east coast to the Seoul metropolitan area. All other sections have already been completed. However, Hanam is refusing to grant the necessary permits, effectively blocking the last tollgate on what is otherwise a completed expressway for the power grid.

Hanam's stated reasons are "resident acceptance" and "concerns over electromagnetic waves." However, KEPCO has voluntarily held multiple information sessions, designed the exterior as a resident-friendly landmark, and demonstrated through expert institutions that the electromagnetic waves are at the same level as those emitted by a household refrigerator. The substation expansion will also be confined to the existing site. Despite numerous supplementary measures, Hanam continues to withhold approval.

The situation has become so dire that KEPCO officials have resorted to solo protests in front of Hanam City Hall, holding signs that read "Urgent need for power supply." This is a desperate signal that delays in the power grid project have reached their limit. Nevertheless, Hanam has not issued any official statement and instead continues to demand further persuasion. It is clear that the longer the completion of the power grid is delayed, the greater the national loss will be.

The claim that "electromagnetic waves are dangerous enough to cause cancer" is as unfounded and fear-mongering as saying "sleeping with a fan on will kill you." Is it right for the expansion of public infrastructure to be dictated by such groundless rumors?

The consequences of this delay are far from simple. If cheap electricity from the east coast cannot be supplied to the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions, residents there will have to pay higher electricity prices. This could result in an annual increase of 300 billion won in electricity bills, a burden that will be shared by the entire nation. The power grid is infrastructure used by everyone. When the interests of a specific region are shifted onto the shoulders of all citizens, it fundamentally undermines the national system.

Moreover, the level of resident benefits demanded by Hanam is far from realistic. Citing the KEPCO Art Center in Seocho District, there are even calls for a cultural and arts space to be built. However, with over 900 substations nationwide, if building art centers costing tens of billions of won becomes the norm, neither public corporations nor the national treasury can sustain it. When demands for local benefits cross a certain line, they risk being seen as "bargaining" that holds public infrastructure hostage.

At this point, one cannot help but raise an uncomfortable question: Is this delay a tactic to buy time ahead of next year's local elections? The person leading Hanam's position is Mayor Lee Hyunjae. Is there a political calculation at work, where provoking resident opposition or postponing a decision is seen as advantageous for gaining support from certain voter groups? Conflicts over national projects should never become mere props for local election campaigns.

Of course, local governments must represent the opinions of their residents. But they also have a responsibility to ensure that national infrastructure can function. Especially in highly public sectors such as energy, transportation, and communications, national interests must take precedence over political gain or loss. It must not be forgotten that irresponsible administrative delays in the name of "local autonomy" ultimately result in losses for the entire country, including the local economy.

Politics may be about timing, but the power grid, if stopped, shuts down. If Hanam truly cares about its residents, it should choose cooperation with the nation. Before it is too late, we hope this common-sense choice will be made.