A coal mine in Taebaek, Gangwon Province. Korea Times file

By Lee Kyung-min

Residents of Gangwon and South Jeolla provinces are expressing concerns over government plans to shut down three coal mines in the regions, a decision they say would crash the local economy, which has already been experiencing a significant slowdown, according to municipal administration officials, Wednesday.

The residents also said that a rapid phase-out of the once-booming industry that relied on the cheap energy source will come at an expense to the livelihoods of those with a low income in the sparsely populated rural areas. This is why they are demanding long-term government measures to help soon-to-be out-of-work miners with job training and new employment opportunities.

On March 3, the government said it reached an agreement with a union under Korea Coal Corp. (KCC) to shut down three mines by 2025 on the condition that workers be paid a state subsidy and a lump sum as compensation for emotional distress. One mine in Hwasun, South Jeolla Province is scheduled to cease operation by 2023, followed by two mines in Gangwon Province ― one in Taebaek and another in Samcheok ― will also be closed by 2024 and 2025, respectively.

"The coal industry has led the local economy in the three regions from the 1960s to the mid-1980s," a Taebaek city official said. "Taebaek, for example, relies on its coal industry for 25 percent of its income. If the mines are gone, so will the livelihoods of many people here."

No small businesses will survive, if a massive population outflow materializes, according to Park Dae-keun, the head of a group representing the residents of Taebaek. "People make a living only when workers with an income spend money to go out to eat, or buy things on the street."

Park said the mine shutdowns will lead to a faster regional economic downturn. "We think it is time for the government to come up with measures to make sure residents are not left behind."

Further to the conditions agreed upon for the unionized workers, the KCC reported in a statement that discussions with the government have made significant progress, of which, specifics will be finalized by March 20. It also said that most of the union members welcome the decision.

The workers had initially decided to stage an all-out strike inside the mines, Feb. 28, but later scrapped the plan after a meeting between the government, labor and KCC management was arranged.