North Gyeongsang Provincial Council Establishes Special Committee on Nuclear Power

On August 25, the North Gyeongsang Provincial Council in South Korea established the "Special Committee on Nuclear Power" on the first day of its 365th special session, electing provincial council member Kim Jae-jun as committee chairman and Lee Dong-hyeop as vice chairman.

According to reports, the committee will focus on addressing major nuclear power-related issues in the region, while also working to enhance the competitiveness of the nuclear power industry in North Gyeongsang Province and safeguard the safety and rights of provincial residents.

North Gyeongsang Province is one of the regions in South Korea with a relatively high concentration of nuclear power facilities, having already developed a certain base of nuclear institutions and industrial infrastructure. With the recent confirmation of two new nuclear reactor projects in Yeongdeok County, the committee plans to strengthen on-site investigations and legislative activities to promote the nuclear power industry as a new growth driver for the region's underdeveloped areas. The committee will also maintain communication with relevant institutions and experts to study more effective policy options and institutional improvement measures.

Kim Jae-jun stated that North Gyeongsang Province is home to the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant in Uljin, the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant in Gyeongju, and the Gyeongju low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facility, and that two new nuclear power units have been confirmed for construction in Yeongdeok County, making it a key region in South Korea's nuclear industry. The Special Committee on Nuclear Power will fully leverage the region's nuclear resources and industrial and research foundations to promote regional economic development, conduct comprehensive reviews of nuclear safety-related matters, and facilitate coordination between resident interests and the development of the nuclear power industry.