The government said Friday that it firmly rejects the validity of a referendum organized by opponents of a new nuclear power plant on the country's east coast and made clear it will fulfill all regional development pledges that can prop up the local economy.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yoon Sang-jick said in a statement that the vote arranged in Yeongdeok, 350 kilometers south east of Seoul, by activist groups lacked any legal backing, regardless of the outcome.
He expressed regret that despite concerted efforts to alleviate safety concerns, there are still those that have reservations about the project as a whole.
"The government plans to listen to concerns expressed and redouble efforts to communicate with the people of Yeongdeok," the policymaker stressed.
The statement was made the morning after a local committee opposing the construction of the reactors held a countywide vote on Wednesday and Thursday. Of the 34,432 registered voters in Yeongdeok, 11,201 cast their ballots resulting in a voter turnout of 32.5 percent, which is just shy of the minimum one-third needed to make any local elections binding. Organizers, however, plan to release the results of the vote.
The government has persistently said the vote did not meet existing rules regarding a referendum and discounted it as nothing more than some groups trying to drum up opposition for a national project.
The government already designated areas in Yeongdeok as the construction site of its new Cheongji nuclear power facility in September 2012. Construction of the two 1,500 megawatt reactors is expected to be completed in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Yoon said that with the referendum issue over, the government plans to move swiftly to meet the 10 major development projects that the people of Yoengdeok wanted in exchange for hosting the nuclear plant.
The government maintains that the construction and operation of the new reactors could cause upwards of 10,000 workers and their families to move to Yeongdeok and boost the local economy.
"A high-tech medical facility, large scale welfare and community center and nuclear-related training institute will be built as soon as possible," the minister said. He added that roads linking isolated areas of the county will be pushed forward, which can bolster economic growth of the region and enhance convenience for residents.
"In addition, the government and the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. that is building the reactors will further step up efforts to explain every detail of the construction process," the official said. "A new committee made up of government officials, KHNP representatives and local residents will be set up to facilitate communication and exchanges," he said.
The ministry, meanwhile, said that follow-up measures like the buying up of land around the planned nuclear plant site and other administrative and legal measures will be carried out according to plan. (Yonhap)
