Gyeonggi Province Councilman Lee Hak-su Mobilizes All Efforts to Block Floating Solar Power Plant at Lake Pyeongtaek...Holds Dialogue Meeting with Local Organizations

[News S=Kim Jong-sik, Senior Reporter] Gyeonggi Province Councilman Lee Hak-su (People Power Party, Pyeongtaek District 5) held a press conference on the 5th demanding immediate cancellation of the announcement for the Lake Pyeongtaek floating solar power plant project, and subsequently held a dialogue meeting with local residents and civic organizations at Yedamchae of Gyeonggi Province Assembly to launch a joint response.

The dialogue meeting was attended by the Hyunduk-myeon Village Chiefs Association, Hyunduk-myeon Residents Autonomous Committee, Hyunduk-myeon Emergency Countermeasures Committee Against Solar Power Installation at Lake Pyeongtaek, Poseung-eup Village Chiefs Association, Oseong-myeon Village Chiefs Association, West Pyeongtaek Forum, Disability Rights Support Association, Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Development Council, Lake Pyeongtaek Research Institute, Environmental Movement Central Council, Anti-Corruption Gyeonggi Southern Regional Alliance, and Pyeongtaek City Rice Farming Cooperative Council.

Additionally, Gyeonggi Province Councilman Kim Sang-gon (People Power Party, Pyeongtaek District 1) joined the meeting, expressing agreement with the necessity of withdrawing the Lake Pyeongtaek floating solar power plant project and lending support.

At the dialogue meeting, the problems with the announcement of the Lake Pyeongtaek floating solar power plant project being pursued by the Korea Rural Community Corporation, a state-owned enterprise, and future response measures were intensively discussed. Participants pointed out that the project occupies approximately 20% of the entire lake surface for an extended period, fundamentally blocking the possibilities for tourism, leisure, and waterfront development.

At the dialogue meeting, Councilman Lee Hak-su stated, "Lake Pyeongtaek is a space of hope that Pyeongtaek citizens have cherished for over 40 years and a public asset for future generations," and added, "The unilateral floating solar power plant project is a decision that blocks the opportunity for creating a Lake Pyeongtaek tourism complex and economic leap forward for the region."

Furthermore, Councilman Lee strongly criticized the Korea Rural Community Corporation for failing to conduct public discourse procedures with citizens despite holding preliminary discussions with Pyeongtaek City, and also pointed out that the city's passive response is problematic. He emphasized, "For large-scale energy projects, local government consent and public discourse procedures must be conducted in advance."

Organizations and provincial councilmen attending the dialogue meeting jointly demanded immediate cancellation of the project announcement, while reaching a consensus on forming a civic task force and establishing a phased action plan for future response.

Councilman Lee Hak-su concluded the dialogue meeting by stating, "We are not opposed to renewable energy policy itself, but rather to the manner in which it damages the future of the region," and added, "As a Gyeonggi Province councilman, I will fight responsibly until the end so that Lake Pyeongtaek can develop into a world-class waterfront tourism destination."