Voices calling for a full halt to 15 new pumped-storage power plant projects across South Korea, including the one planned in Hongcheon, are growing louder. Environmental groups and resident organizations are questioning both the real need for the facilities and the scale of environmental damage they cause.
Opponents argue that pumped-storage plants are inefficient and require large-scale destruction during construction. In this broader national debate, Pungcheon-ri has emerged as one of the most symbolic cases because of the villagers' long and disciplined resistance.
More than 140 civic and environmental organizations have formed solidarity networks demanding a comprehensive review of new pumped-storage projects. They are also calling for energy policies that guarantee resident participation and reduce ecological harm.
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