Translation result
\”This is a troubling and serious issue. Regardless of the election outcome, we must bring this into the public forum and work to resolve it.\”
Kim Jang-yeon, the People Power Party’s candidate for Anseong mayor, made the remarks about the operation of the LNG power plant in the Yongin industrial complex and stressed his ongoing commitment to addressing residents’ health concerns.
On April 28, Greenpeace released a report estimating that emissions from the plant could cause between 14 and 39 premature deaths per year, and as many as 1,161 deaths over 30 years of operation. The report identified secondary fine particulate matter—formed from nitrogen oxides and other pollutants—as the primary culprit and warned that the impact could extend beyond the plant’s immediate vicinity to the broader Seoul metropolitan area.
Kim said, \”Fine particulate matter crosses administrative boundaries, so Anseong could also be affected. We need a more proactive response to threats to residents’ lives and health.\”
He called for ▲ public disclosure of the consultation process related to the gas-fired power plant; ▲ establishment of a joint response framework among Anseong, Yongin, Pyeongtaek, and Icheon; ▲ stronger emission-reduction standards and real-time public disclosure of emissions data; ▲ an automatic shutdown mechanism if limits are exceeded; and ▲ comprehensive measures to protect public health.
\”These are the minimum steps required to protect residents’ lives and health,\” Kim said. \”Anseong, Yongin and all relevant agencies must act responsibly.\”
In a phone interview with News Free Zone, Kim emphasized, \”Whether I win or lose, I will continue to raise this issue and press for improvements. I will pursue public debate to ensure public health is protected.\”
\”Residents’ health and quality of life must take precedence over any development,\” he added. \”If necessary, I will keep raising and addressing this issue until it is resolved.\”
The dispute over the gas-fired power plant is evolving beyond a local development controversy into a regional environmental and public-health policy issue, with the potential to spark tensions between neighboring municipalities.
Most Commented