정치

Councillor Jeon Hong-pyo tells the 156th extraordinary session that farmland can be kept in use while giving farmers new income, urges pilots that test crop yields, power output and farm income, and asks the city to prepare ahead of the scheme taking effect

2026.10.30

Politics

President Lee Jae-myung answers farmers' "solar is a power business" criticism: give the chance to local residents, not outside developers

Kwon Hyuk-jeong of the National Garlic Producers Association says farmland should grow food; the president says he knows the objection and cites rising power demand and the use of idle land

2026.10.26

Politics

Clause allowing direct nuclear power purchases (PPAs) in Korea's mega special zone bill draws controversy as climate ministry softens wording from hard to agree to careful approach

Rep. Park Hae-cheol releases ministry documents; no decision yet on whether to allow it. His office estimates that supplying all of Wolsong Unit 2's output to one company could raise other users' replacement power costs by about 380 billion won

2026.10.25

Politics

Jinju council committee chair Choi Min-guk calls for review of zoning limits on rooftop solar in residential areas; only Jinju and Geoje in South Gyeongsang also bar semi-residential zones

Raised during review of an ordinance easing setback rules, he said the city's standards may conflict with the land ministry's 2015 guidelines and 2019 interpretation; Goseong, Namhae and Hadong have separate rooftop rules, and the city says it will consider change once safety and public consensus are secured

2026.10.23

Politics

Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City Council members issue statement demanding Korea Rural Community Corporation be excluded from renewable supply obligation

Climate ministry's draft decree would make public-sector power producers with 100,000kW or more of renewable capacity obligated suppliers, which could include the corporation and its 165,000kW; members warn investment and penalty burdens could shrink support for farmers

2026.10.23

Politics

Upkeep of solar on public buildings falls through the cracks; Gyeonggi council forum proposes full survey and integrated monitoring

Councilor Shin Mi-suk's legislative forum on the 22nd hears that about 1,000 of roughly 2,500 schools in the province have panels; ideas include meters and the REGO system so certificate sales cover maintenance, inspection cycles by equipment age and new or revised ordinances

2026.10.23

Politics

Rep. Yong Hye-in proposes leasing Jeju's idle provincial land for renewables and paying the rent to all residents as dividends

At the Jeju audit she urged careful design of benefit-sharing under the Sunlight and Wind Pension so residents who cannot invest also get a share, noting about 89% of idle provincial land sits unused and citing Article 26 of the Renewable Energy Act on long-term, low-rent leases

2026.10.22

Politics

Only Korea South-East Power among five generating companies runs both a conflict-management manual and training, leaving gaps ahead of coal phase-out and renewables shift

Rep. Park Hae-cheol's review of data from nine energy public companies finds East-West and Midland Power have no plans or training yet, while Southern Power has only a 12-page set of rules with no training or plans, judged a formality; residents are split over the Dadaepo offshore wind project

2026.10.22

Politics

Audit hearing raises allegations of favoritism toward BS Group over development gains at Haenam's Solaseado; industry minister says he will look closely

Lawmaker Koo Ja-keun disclosed an internal document projecting a 33% margin and 250 billion won in profit from an industrial complex, and questioned a fast-tracked substation and RE100 special act provisions; the claims are unproven allegations, and BS Group's position could not be confirmed

2026.10.22

Politics

Parliamentary audit says Korea's agrivoltaics decree draws agricultural companies' project areas too narrowly

Rep. Joo Chul-hyun says 12 provinces and cities without state reclaimed land are shut out; Minister Song Mi-ryung promises to review a wider scope and consult local governments

2026.10.22

Politics

Asan council committee passes siting rules of 200m for solar and 1,500m for wind, exempting village projects backed by 80% of households

Ordinance amendment sponsored by Councilor Cheon Cheol-ho clears the Construction and Urban Committee, adding heritage zones and tourist areas to restricted sites; resident-participation, rooftop and Sunlight Income Village projects also exempt, plenary vote due on the 30th

2026.10.21

Politics

Parliamentary audit calls for an urban Sunlight Income Village model open to apartment residents

Committee chair presses Korea Energy Agency; agency says housing types and land conditions differ and need more review

2026.10.20

Politics

Korea's bill to merge five power generators enters parliamentary review as KEPCO subsidiary vs direct state ownership is debated

Rep. Choi Ki-sang's bill makes Korea Power a wholly owned KEPCO subsidiary while rival bills call for full or 51%-plus state funding; government targets an October 2027 launch

2026.10.19

Politics

Parliamentary audit questions grid stability as 75% of Korea's renewable connections sit in Honam and grid-forming inverters make up about 10%

KEPCO plans to widen upgrade requirements from 90 kW to 20 kW and above by 2029, with costs expected to fall on generators

2026.10.19