Busan Metropolitan Council member Jo Yong-woo (Democratic Party, proportional representative) has called for increased transparency in the disclosure of nuclear safety information and the management of public facilities operated by private entities. He argues that these issues are crucial for citizen safety and administrative trust, necessitating a comprehensive review of information disclosure and management systems by the Busan city government.
In a statement on August 3, Jo pointed out that many citizens in Busan felt tremors from the recent earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan, yet the city and related agencies, including Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, failed to promptly provide information regarding the safety of the Gori Nuclear Power Plant.
Busan is home to the largest concentration of nuclear power plants in South Korea. In the event of an earthquake, citizens are most concerned about the safety of these facilities, highlighting the need for simultaneous fact-checking and information dissemination during disaster responses.
Jo stated, "While disaster alerts are frequently sent during heatwaves or heavy rainfall, there was no guidance from any agency when citizens experienced the earthquake and expressed concerns about nuclear safety. The explanation that messages were not sent to avoid causing public anxiety disregards the citizens' right to know." He emphasized the need for transparency in how safety was verified, in line with the intent of the 'Nuclear Safety Information Disclosure and Communication Act,' adding that overreacting in disaster responses can actually enhance public trust.
The following day, on August 4, Jo raised concerns about the operation of the Busan Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling Center, which is set to end its private consignment period at the end of September. Trust in the management of public recycling facilities has been shaken due to ongoing investigations into allegations of embezzlement and fraud against the previous operator in the Saenggok area, as well as suspicions of false weighing and improper receipt of subsidies.
Jo remarked, "Regardless of the legal proceedings, the Busan city government must assess whether it has fulfilled its management and oversight responsibilities in delegating public facility operations to private entities. It is essential to not only select a new operating agency but also to overhaul the entire system."
To this end, Jo proposed six improvement measures to the Busan city government: 1) public disclosure of the selection process and evaluation criteria for consignment agencies, 2) institutionalization of regular accounting audits and operational evaluations, 3) expansion of information disclosure regarding the volume of collected waste electronics, processing results, operational costs, and subsidies, 4) strengthening asset management and handover procedures, 5) establishing criteria for contract termination and compensation in cases of misconduct, and 6) conducting internal administrative reviews of the existing operational process.
Jo concluded, "The disclosure of nuclear safety information and the management of public facilities through private consignment are fundamental responsibilities of local government and directly related to public trust. The Busan City Council will thoroughly review the nuclear disaster response system and the selection of the consignment agency for the waste recycling center from the citizens' perspective."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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