"Stop the Life Extension Review for Kori Unit 2" Protest Held in Gwangju

Nuclear-Free World Gwangju Jeonnam Action Holds Press Conference at 5·18 Democracy Square
Claims Life Extension of Hanbit Units 1 and 2 Is Also a Local Issue
Criticizes Government's "Nuclear Runaway," Calls for Normalization of Power Supply Plan

Nuclear-Free World Gwangju Jeonnam Action held a press conference on the 21st at the Gwangju 5·18 Democracy Square, urging the suspension of the life extension review for Kori Unit 2. This press conference was conducted as part of a nationwide relay, alongside events in Gyeongju, Seoul, and North Jeolla Province.

Nuclear-Free World Gwangju Jeonnam Action held a press conference on the 21st at the Gwangju 5·18 Democracy Square urging the suspension of the review for the lifespan extension of Kori Unit 2. Provided by Nuclear-Free World Gwangju Jeonnam Action

With the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission scheduled to revisit the approval for the life extension of Kori Unit 2 at its meeting on the 23rd, the group pointed out that nuclear power plant safety is not a matter limited to a specific region but is directly linked to the safety of the entire country. They emphasized that, as life extension for Hanbit Units 1 and 2 is also being pursued in the Gwangju and South Jeolla region, the issue of Kori Unit 2 is a local concern as well.

The group argued that shutting down Hanbit Units 1 and 2 could resolve issues such as transmission line saturation and the construction of transmission towers for power supply to the capital area, and could also contribute to the realization of the "sunlight and wind pension." They further criticized the government's simultaneous push to extend the lifespan of 10 aging nuclear reactors as "nuclear runaway," calling for the normalization of the 12th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand and an immediate halt to the review of aging nuclear reactors.

They went on to state that nuclear power generation has become a declining industry, having lost both safety and economic viability. They pointed out that, with the enforcement of the High-Level Radioactive Waste Special Act, it is now impossible to store spent nuclear fuel, and that extending the lifespan of reactors would only increase the risks.

The group demanded a complete halt to the life extension efforts for Kori Unit 2 and the 10 aging nuclear reactors, stating, "Aging nuclear reactors that do not even reflect the results of active fault surveys are being operated without considering the possibility of major accidents."