Yeongdeok County Council Clears First Hurdle in Bid to Attract Nuclear Power Plant

Original Motion to Consent to Candidate Site Application Passed
Focus Now on Response to Public Invitation and Collection of Residents' Opinions

The Yeongdeok County Council has approved, in its original form, the motion to consent to an application to attract a candidate site for the construction of a new nuclear power plant, accelerating efforts to secure a foundation for future regional industries.

Kim Seongho, chairman of the Yeongdeok County Council, opened the 320th extraordinary session on the 24th and is reviewing and voting on a motion to consent to an application to host a candidate site for the construction of a new nuclear power plant.

The Yeongdeok County Council (Chair Kim Seongho) convened an extraordinary session on the 24th and deliberated and voted on the motion to consent to an application to attract a candidate site for the construction of a new nuclear power plant. The motion was submitted by the executive branch on the 13th and is being evaluated as a key policy measure to revitalize the local economy and secure mid- to long-term growth engines.

The council conducted a sufficient review process, beginning with an explanation of the proposal by the executive branch and followed by a question-and-answer session and debate, and ultimately passed the motion as originally submitted by the executive branch.

With this resolution, Yeongdeok County has secured an administrative basis to participate in the government's procedure for selecting candidate sites for new nuclear power plants. If the attraction of a nuclear power plant becomes a reality, positive effects such as job creation, the inflow of related industries, and an expansion of local finances are expected. At the same time, a wide range of challenges are being raised, including ensuring safety, assessing environmental impacts, and securing residents' acceptance.

The council stated that, in the course of responding to the upcoming public invitation process, it will strengthen the collection of residents' opinions and the disclosure of information, in order to minimize social conflict in the community and place the safety of county residents as its top priority.

The passage of this motion carries significant meaning as the starting point for efforts to attract a nuclear power plant. However, given that expectations and concerns are intertwined, the future process of public debate and securing residents' acceptance is expected to become a key variable in the progress of the project.