Referendum on nuke plant turns invalid

By Kim Se-jeong

The referendum on nuclear power plant construction in Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang Province, became invalid, as the voter turnout was 32.5 percent, less than one third of the total eligible voters required by law.

According to the referendum management committee, Friday, only 11,201 out of 34,432 eligible voters cast ballots during the referendum on Wednesday and Thursday.

Among those who participated in the voting, 91.7 percent voted against construction.

The referendum was made as the government decided in 2012 to build the plant there starting in 2019 and finishing it by 2026 or 2027. Some residents and civic groups have opposed the plan, especially after the nuclear plant accident in Fukushima in 2011. While they held the referendum, the government has said the vote has no legal binding because the nuclear plant project is an important, state-driven affair which is not subject to referendum.

Trade Minister Yoon Sang-jick confirmed again on Friday that the government would not acknowledge the referendum and would go ahead with the project.