[Feature] Yeonggwang County in Turmoil Over Offshore Wind Power Compensation... Growing Conflicts Among Fishermen

Number of Fishermen’s Organizations in Yeonggwang Surges from 4?5 to 18
Members Split into New Groups Based on Conflicting Interests
Brokers Intensify Efforts, Tempting with Promises of Increased Compensation
Local Residents Voice Concerns: "A Clear Solution Is Needed"

Banners opposing the underground transmission line project to bring electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as offshore wind power are posted throughout Yeonggwang County. Photo by Shim Jinseok

As the nation’s largest offshore wind power project is being promoted in Yeonggwang County, South Jeolla Province, a series of side effects are emerging. In particular, the issue of compensation for fishermen affected by the offshore wind power project has surfaced, leading to escalating conflicts within the region. The number of fishermen’s organizations, which previously did not exist, has increased, and 'brokers' who use these groups as a base to lead protests against the project are proliferating. The situation on the ground is also becoming increasingly violent.

According to fishermen’s groups and offshore wind industry officials in Yeonggwang County on September 2, the county, which is considered an optimal site for offshore wind power, is currently pushing forward with a total of 18 offshore wind power projects with a combined capacity of 11,123.9MW.

First, on August 20, Yeonggwang County granted a permit for the use of public waters for the construction of the Anma Offshore Wind Power Complex, which has a total capacity of 532MW. Although additional permits are required before construction can begin, the first step has already been taken.

In addition, Yeonggwang Yaksu Offshore Wind Power, a 4.3MW public-led offshore wind project located about 2.5km off the coast of Baeksu-eup in Yeonggwang County, began full commercial operation in April this year. In August last year, the Yeonggwang Chilhoe 1.2 wind power projects (each with a capacity of 510MW) also received conditional permits. Furthermore, projects such as Yeonggwang Nakwol (365MW), Yeonggwang Yawol (108MW), Yeonggwang Chilsan (160MW), and Yeonggwang Hanbit (375MW) are all gaining momentum. Meanwhile, projects like Haema Offshore Wind Power (1,400MW) and Chilsanpo Offshore Wind Power (1,500MW), which will be built in the sea near Hongnong-eup, are in the process of applying for power generation business permits.

About 30% of the approximately 60 offshore wind power permit zones in South Jeolla Province are concentrated in Yeonggwang County. Based on the scale of these projects alone, the total project value far exceeds 10 trillion won, making this an unprecedented large-scale initiative in the region’s history.

The problem is that as the offshore wind power industry booms, conflicts among fishermen over compensation are deepening.

As of this date, there are a total of 18 fishermen’s organizations in the Yeonggwang area.

Specifically, these include five organizations composed of members who have actually engaged in fishing operations, such as the Yeonggwang County Anchovy Net Association, the Yeonggwang County Set Net Association, the Chilsando Sea Area Vessel Owners’ Cooperative, the Nakwol-myeon Anchovy Net Association, and the Anmado Offshore Wind Power Countermeasure Committee. There is also the Offshore Wind Power Fisheries Cooperative Integration Committee, which includes 12 organizations, as well as the Yeonggwang County Fishermen’s Association.

Traditionally, it is known that only about four to five fishermen’s organizations were active in Yeonggwang County. However, according to officials, the number of such organizations has surged over the past one to two years since the offshore wind power project gained momentum and compensation issues came to the fore.

Fishermen’s organizations are broadly divided into two types: 'fishing vessel operators,' who go out to sea to catch fish, and 'hand gatherers,' who collect seafood from mudflats and similar areas. Depending on their respective situations, each group demands different amounts of compensation, leading to the formation of separate organizations based on their interests.

This is seen as a result of the severe fragmentation among fishermen’s organizations. There are also claims that the presence of 'brokers' who fuel these divisions is a significant factor.

These brokers are reportedly meeting with local fishermen, inciting them by promising to increase the amount of compensation they receive, while simultaneously approaching companies and offering to resolve community acceptance issues-essentially playing both sides. Some brokers have even joined fishermen’s organizations themselves, taken executive positions, and expanded their influence by attending residents’ briefings as representatives of these groups and voicing various complaints and grievances.

According to a representative of a local fishermen’s organization, the abnormal process of adjusting compensation has intensified confrontations among local fishermen. In fact, during a recent offshore wind power project council meeting, heated arguments and profanity among fishermen led to a breakdown of the proceedings, illustrating this very issue.

The situation continues to deteriorate, but currently, there is no clear solution. Agreement from the fishermen is essential for the project, and as delays increase, so do project costs, leaving offshore wind power companies with no real options. The local government of Yeonggwang County, which has jurisdiction, has also failed to find a breakthrough and is merely watching both the fishermen and the companies.

Some are concerned that, at this rate, fake fishermen rather than genuine ones may end up receiving most of the compensation.

A resident of Yeonggwang commented, "Yeonggwang used to be a quiet and pleasant place to live, but ever since offshore wind power came in, it’s been chaos. Now that the compensation issue has come to the surface, there are a lot more conflicts among fishermen’s groups. Since people are being promised higher compensation, it’s only natural that they gravitate toward those groups. There needs to be a solution."