Residents vow full-fledged fight against coal-fired power plants

People from rural towns near coal-fired power plants listen to a speaker, Thursday, during a protest in Seoul against 10 new power plants to come near their villages./Yonhap

By Kim Se-jeong

Kim Myoung-gak, a resident near the Dangjin coal-fired power plant in South Chungcheong Province, noticed his neighbors dying earlier than expected in recent years.

"Almost 12 have died. And 23 suffer from cancer," Kim said in an interview with Greenpeace Korea last year. "As far as I know, 14 are now sick."

Dangjin is home to 10 coal-fired power plants, and villagers believe particulate matter, known as fine dust, from the plants is killing them. Last year's public health report conducted by South Chungcheong Province revealed Dangjin residents had higher rates of cardiovascular and respiratory problems compared to other regions.

The villages are now fighting to stop two new plants from being built.

Dangjin isn't the only village expecting new coal-fired power plants.

Residents in Samcheok and Gangneung in Gangwon Province, Pocheon in Gyeonggi Province and Sacheon in South Gyeongsang Province are also fighting to stop these plants from being built.

Altogether, 10 new power plants are to be built.

On Thursday, representatives from these villages gathered in Seoul and vowed to join forces to combat the government's plans.

"This is so meaningful that now we are acting together," Yum Hyung-cheol from the Korean Federation of Environmental Movement said during the meeting in Seoul. "It has been a difficult fight. Few have paid attention to the hardships the residents have been going through. Some called the villagers selfish. Together, we can now make our voices heard that our demand is legitimate."

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New power plants

Thursday's move came amid high hopes for improving air quality.

On May 15, President Moon Jae-in ordered a temporary shutdown of eight old coal-fired power plants and promised to permanently close 10 old plants ― older than 30 years ― before he leaves office.

Yet, the villagers are cautious because the plan for new power plants could continue.

"Coal-fired power plants are a major source of fine dust which can cause cancer," representatives from the villagers said in a statement. "It robs our children of sound health. The next most important step should be stopping the 10 new power plants from being built."

Moon promised to cancel construction if less than 10 percent of it has been completed. However, "in light of Moon's comments, the developers are speeding up the process to stay above 10 percent," the group said, adding that it only deepens distrust between the local residents and the developers.

Korea has 59 coal-fired power plants running across the country. Eighty kilometers south of Seoul, Dangjin has the highest density of plants. Fine dust from Dangjin affects the capital and the metropolitan region. Last year, a national audit revealed up to 28 percent of fine dust, particularly PM 2.5, that blanketed Seoul and the metropolitan area could be blamed on coal-fired power plants on the west coast.

According to Greenpeace Korea, the 10 new power plants, when operating, are expected to cause 300 premature deaths per year.

Some have blamed China for the fine dust, but experts said reducing locally generated fine dust would be more efficient.

The next action for the group of villages will be to push their agenda to a special committee concerning fine dust. Moon pledged to set up the committee under Cheong Wa Dae's direct supervision. The joint group of activists wants to be part of the committee, as well.

"We want the Moon government to invite us to be on the special committee."

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