Uljin County faces disputes over nuclear subsidies and budget cuts

Uljin County is facing internal disputes regarding the allocation and management of regional development funds. One major point of contention involves approximately 130 billion won in annual subsidies provided by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). Concerns have been raised regarding the fairness of these funds, specifically a proposal by a local agricultural cooperative to use KHNP subsidies to cover 60 percent of the costs for a new logistics warehouse. Critics question whether such funds should be used for corporate asset building or if they should be distributed more broadly to benefit all residents.

Simultaneously, the Uljin County Council has sparked significant local unrest by voting to completely cut a proposed 14 billion won livelihood support budget. The plan, which intended to provide 300,000 won per resident via local currency before the Chuseok holiday, was rejected by council members citing the county's low fiscal self-reliance rate of 11 percent. While the council argues for fiscal prudence and performance analysis of previous subsidies, local advocacy groups and some council members have launched protests, arguing the funds are necessary for economic revitalization.