[Photo by Namgung Jin-wung = timeid@ajunews.com]
South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered a temporary shutdown of eight aged coal-fired thermal power plants amid growing public concerns about a health hazard caused by particulate pollution largely originating from China.
Out of 59 coal-fired thermal power plants, eight aged 30 years or older will be closed for 30 days starting June 1, the president's office said.
"The temporary shutdown of coal-fired thermal power plants reflects the president's strong will to address the problem of particulate pollution as a national agenda," chief presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan told reporters.
Coal burning is a key source of emission of fine dust, which largely originates from China.
Next year, ten aged thermal power plants will be closed for four months from March each year, the president's office said, adding the shutdown would not lead to a price hike because they account for 3.3 percent of total power supply. At the summer peak time, gas power stations will boost electricity production.
The move is expected to reduce the output of fine particulate matter by up to two percent, the office said.
To fight air pollution and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, Moon has pledged the permanent closure of old power stations. But the president's office is now cautious in closing old nuclear power stations due to concern about a power shortage and called for a detailed long-term road map.
Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
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