Muan County Council Urges Expansion of Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Planning Area

Kim Wonjung: "A Safety Net Reflecting Muan's Unique Circumstances Is Needed"

Assemblyman Kim Wonjung urging the expansion designation of the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant planning area. Provided by Muan County Council

The Muan County Council in South Jeolla Province adopted a proposal urging the expansion of the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant radiation emergency planning area at the first plenary session of its 303rd extraordinary meeting on September 5, and called on the government and the National Assembly to improve related regulations.

In his keynote speech, Assemblyman Kim Wonjung stated, "The radiation emergency planning area is not just a boundary line, but a safety net that protects lives in times of crisis." He pointed out, "The northern coastal region of Muan County is expected to be directly affected in the event of an accident at the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant, yet it is currently excluded from the designated area."

Assemblyman Kim particularly cited Korea Meteorological Administration statistics from the past five years for Haeje-myeon, emphasizing, "With the north wind accounting for 53.4%, there is a high possibility of radioactive materials being carried into Muan." He further explained that, since the western coastal current in winter determines the spread route of nuclear power plant marine discharges, the Muan Peninsula is a vulnerable area that would be directly affected.

The proposal includes: ▲expanding the radiation emergency planning area to cover the northern coastal region of Muan County; ▲amending nuclear-related laws such as the Radioactive Disaster Prevention Act; and ▲ensuring residents within the affected zone have access to information.

The county council plans to deliver the adopted proposal to the Office of the President, the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, and other relevant government and parliamentary bodies.

Muan County Council Chairman Lee Hosung stressed, "We will make the safety and protection of residents' lives our top priority and do our utmost to achieve reasonable regulatory improvements."