UNESCO Site Now Nuclear Waste Dump?
Why in the world has the Korean government chosen one of Korea’s most cherished cultural sites, Gyeongju which is listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site, as the country’s nuclear waste dump?:
The government has named Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province as the site of a low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste repository after 19 years of decision-making and nine failed attempts to select a nuclear dump site amid strong local opposition.
The Gyeongju nuclear waste repository is a significant success story as it stands as the first state project determined in a plebiscite. The city recorded a high turnout of 70.8 percent and a support rating of no less than 89.5 percent after the government incentivized its offer and local campaigning won over reluctant locals.
Though defeated by Gyeongju, both Gunsan and Yeongdeok posted turnouts in the 70 percent to 80 percent range and support rates of around 80 percent. This occurred despite fierce opposition from residents of candidate sites in previous years.
Conflict arising from the controversial plan to introduce a radioactive waste dump into their backyard even spilled over into violence in Buan, North Jeolla Province, two years ago.
This just blows my mind that the government chose Gyeongju, a precious national cultural asset as their choice for this nuclear waste dump over a better geographical choice such as Gunsan.
I can just see the tours in Gyeongju now, “Here is Bulguksa Temple which is listed by UNESCO as one of the World’s Cultural Heritage sites and next on the tour we will see the progress Gyeongju has made in the last 2,000 years by touring the city’s very own nuclear waste dump! I hope everyone is excited!”
Unbelievable, one of my favorite locations in Korea is being turned into a nuclear waste dump.
