The state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. is set to resume work Wednesday to erect high-voltage transmission towers in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, despite concerns of a possible clash with protesting villagers.

KEPCO chief executive Cho Hwan-ik announced Tuesday that there must be no more delay in finishing the 765-kilovolt transmission line crossing five localities including Miryang in order to meet the peak power demand next summer.

“We’ll carry on with the construction while avoiding a (physical) clash with the residents, keeping in mind that their safety is the top priority. We ask for your understanding and cooperation,” Cho said in a press conference.

 

Korea Electric Power Corp. workers stand guard at the construction site of a high-voltage electricity transmission tower in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. (Yonhap News)

Tension is already high in four of Miryang’s villages, where a massive number of police and construction workers were dispatched early Monday morning to keep protesters from entering.

Except for Miryang, all four localities ― Ulju, Gijang, Changnyeong counties and Yangsan City ― have already completed building 109 towers for the 90.2-kilometer power line.

On Sept. 11, Prime Minister Chung Hong-won visited the city to discuss the compensation package with authorities and representatives of 18 of the 30 towns.

The participants agreed on a higher amount of compensation, with the total package worth 25.5 billion won ($23.7 million). But opponents argue that they were left out from the meeting and remained steadfast in demanding alternative measures for effective and safe power supply, such as laying an underground power line or relocating the towers to detour residential areas.

The group claims that strong electromagnetic waves could take a toll on the environment and health, increasing the risk of cancer and fetal deformities.

Following 40 days of thorough review, however, six out of nine members of a special task force voted against the suggested underground measures, Cho said.

The power corporation announced in 2005 it would effectively supply electricity to Ulsan’s Shin-Kori nuclear plant from its substation in Changnyeong.

The 8-year-old dispute sparked controversy again this summer when three nuclear power plants were suspended due to substandard parts. Nuclear power plants account for about 30 percent of the country’s total electricity output.

Including the ones under a regular overhaul, six of 23 reactors in the country are currently offline.

By Suk Gee-hyun (monicasuk@heraldcorp.com)