Civic Groups Protest Hanbit Nuclear Plant Lifespan Extension After Buan Quake Anniversary

Two years after a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck Buan, civic groups in South Korea's Honam region are demanding a halt to the planned lifespan extension of Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant units 1 and 2. The groups, including the Honam Regional Action Group for Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant, gathered on June 12 in front of the Jeonbuk Provincial Government building to voice their concerns.

They argue that the Buan earthquake, the largest recorded in the Jeonbuk region since seismic observation began in 1978, demonstrated that Honam is not a seismically safe zone. The tremor was felt across the Honam region and even in parts of the Seoul metropolitan area.

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The Buan earthquake showed that the Honam region is not a seismically safe zone. The government and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power must stop the lifespan extension of Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant and the construction of the temporary spent nuclear fuel storage facility, and completely reassess nuclear plant safety measures.

The civic groups are calling on the government and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to cease the lifespan extension and the construction of a temporary storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. They also demand a comprehensive review of nuclear plant safety measures.

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Given that the Buan earthquake was analyzed to have been caused by an 'unknown fault' that did not appear on the surface, the government must accelerate its investigation of active faults in the Honam region.

Specifically, they urged the government to expedite investigations into active faults in the Honam region, noting that analyses suggest the Buan earthquake originated from an "unknown fault." They criticized the government's slow progress on fault investigations in the region compared to areas like Gyeongju and Pohang, demanding transparency in the research results.

The groups emphasized that the safety verification for the continued operation of Hanbit units 1 and 2 must consider seismic risks and the aging of the reactors. They also criticized the plans for the spent fuel facility, stating it is proceeding without adequate consideration of seismic risks or sufficient public consultation. Their demands include an early, comprehensive survey of active faults, strengthening seismic resistance of all Hanbit facilities, establishing a disaster response system with public participation, and halting the lifespan extension of Hanbit units 1 and 2.

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The Buan earthquake showed that no place on the Korean Peninsula is a seismically safe zone anymore. The government, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and local governments must re-examine nuclear plant safety and disaster response systems from scratch.