Taean residents' voices drowned out by election promises, urgent needs unmet

As South Korea approaches local elections, residents of Taean are expressing deep-seated concerns about their quality of life, emphasizing the urgent need for improved infrastructure and concrete solutions to pressing issues. Their voices, often overshadowed by broader political promises, highlight critical deficiencies in transportation, healthcare, and employment.

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The most urgent thing is the emergency room. When my child had a high fever at night, I went to the emergency room at the Taean Medical Center, and they told me we needed to go to Seosan.

For many, the most immediate concern is healthcare. A local cake shop owner and mother of two described the terrifying experience of taking her child to the Taean Medical Center's emergency room for a high fever at night, only to be told they needed to travel to Seosan. While the facility offers pediatric care during the day, it lacks the capacity to handle emergencies after hours, leaving families vulnerable.

Transportation also poses a significant challenge, particularly for the elderly. A retired teacher recounted the physical pain of navigating bus routes with knee and back issues, noting that while some elderly residents receive free taxi support, he does not qualify. He hopes for a solution similar to accessible transport for people with disabilities.

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It's the most painful thing to take the bus. I have to rest dozens of times because of my knee replacement and broken back.

The impending closure of coal-fired power plants looms large over Taean's future, with residents like a young man working at a plant expressing concern about job prospects. He moved away from Taean for work and plans to relocate again, citing the lack of alternative industries. While candidates propose developing renewable energy, such as offshore wind farms, specific plans for job retraining or ensuring employment for existing workers are notably absent.

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Since the power plant closure is confirmed, there are no companies to work for, so eventually (young people) have no choice but to go elsewhere.

Furthermore, residents living near the power plants are worried about the long-term health impacts. Despite health surveys showing elevated levels of carcinogens like arsenic, concrete measures to address these issues are lacking. Promises of revenue sharing from new offshore wind projects, reminiscent of a past unfulfilled pledge for a "windfall income" for all residents, have been met with skepticism. Residents fear that these new developments could harm local fishing industries and that campaign rhetoric often fails to address their immediate, tangible needs.

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Even if only one wind turbine blade spins, the vibration will make it impossible for fish to live.