South Korea Selects Yeongdeok and Gijang as New Nuclear Plant Sites, Sparking Mixed Reactions

Yeongdeok County in North Gyeongsang Province and Gijang County in Busan have been chosen as candidate sites for new nuclear power plants, igniting both celebration and regret among residents. Yeongdeok's selection for two large-scale reactors and Gijang's for one small modular reactor (SMR) marks a significant step in South Korea's nuclear energy expansion plans.

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The selection of Yeongdeok by KHNP is a historic decision that can redesign Yeongdeok's future for the next 100 years, going beyond attracting a national project.

Yeongdeok County Mayor Kim Gwang-yeol hailed the decision as a "historic decision that can redesign Yeongdeok's future for the next 100 years," anticipating it would overcome challenges like population decline and economic stagnation. Local fisherman Ha Jun-myeong expressed happiness but also voiced concerns about the proximity of the reactors to residential areas, emphasizing the need for a larger designated site for future expansion.

However, anti-nuclear activists strongly opposed the decision. Park Hye-ryeong of the Yeongdeok Anti-Nuclear Facility Alliance questioned the speed and thoroughness of the site selection process, citing insufficient information provided to residents about potential damages like property value decline. She also raised concerns about the geological stability of the East Coast, referencing the cancellation of a previous project in Yeongdeok due to earthquakes in Pohang and Gyeongju.

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It's a regrettable decision. The site selection process has been proceeding very rapidly since the current government took office. I doubt whether normal investigations and procedures were followed.

In Gijang, civic groups also protested, calling it a "dangerous city" due to increased nuclear risks. Jeong Su-hee of the Busan Anti-Nuclear Citizens' Alliance argued that Gijang is already a densely populated nuclear area and the safety of SMRs is unproven, increasing Busan's risks. The group plans to demand a referendum and scrutinize the selection process for procedural fairness.

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Gijang is already a nuclear power plant-dense area. The safety of small modular reactors has not been properly verified. This decision increases Busan's risk.