미래 농업의 꿈과 원전의 경제 논리, 영덕이 그리는 두 갈래 길 > K-wave Trends

A small but meaningful wind of change is blowing in Yeongdeok’s education field. The ‘Green Button’ smart farm introduced at Yeonghae Elementary School in collaboration with the Nonghyup Yeongdeok-gun branch and LG Electronics goes beyond simple delivery of equipment. Children learn the value of future agriculture by directly observing the growth process of crops through plant life appliances in the classroom. This is interpreted as part of ESG management aimed at instilling ecological sensitivity in future generations in the region and presenting a sustainable future where advanced technology and agriculture coexist.

Apart from its educational value, the clock of Yeongdeok-gun administration is rapidly turning toward the important task of ‘attracting a new nuclear power plant.’ Regardless of the change of county governor after the local elections, Yeongdeok-gun is making revitalizing the local economy and creating quality jobs through attracting nuclear power plants its top priority. Yeongdeok-gun has already suffered administrative and economic wounds due to the cancellation of the Cheonji Nuclear Power Plant in the past, but this time, the strategy is to use the overwhelming approval rating of residents, which exceeds 86%, as a weapon to gain an upper hand in the site selection evaluation for Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

Currently, Yeongdeok-gun is making an all-out effort to overcome the final hurdle of assessing resident acceptance. All departments within the county office have entered into a publicity system and responded to public opinion polls, and are persuading county residents of the expected effects of hosting a nuclear power plant through social media and various promotional media. This is because it is believed that ‘residents’ strong will to attract’ will be a decisive key in selecting the final candidate site, as much as technical evaluation items such as site suitability and environmental friendliness.