Yeosu City Council Urges Activation of 'Industrial Complex Social Contribution Public Discussion Promotion Committee'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] The Yeosu City Council (Chairman Jeon Chang-gon) has urged the formation of a public discussion promotion committee as a measure to elicit social contribution from industrial complex companies and emphasized the active participation of companies.

According to the city council, on the 21st, during the 204th extraordinary session, a resolution urging the formation of such a public discussion promotion committee was passed.

Assemblyman Joo Jae-hyun stated the background of the proposal, saying, “It has been a year since the illegal air pollution discharge incident in the industrial complex, and it is deeply concerning whether companies have the will to implement follow-up measures and fulfill social responsibilities. So far, no concrete implementation plans have been derived.”

Previously, in April of last year, the Yeosu Industrial Complex companies were caught by the Ministry of Environment for illegally discharging air pollutants, causing a great shock to the local community.

Subsequently, related companies promised to restore citizens' trust by promoting social contribution projects such as establishing eco-friendly workplaces, hiring local talent, purchasing local goods, and using local businesses.

Regarding this, Assemblyman Joo criticized, “Companies have consistently responded with evasive blame-shifting and irresponsible attitudes, saying things like ‘local social contribution projects will be promoted through public-private governance’ and ‘it is unfair to hold only some companies responsible.’”

He added, “Social contribution projects require the participation of all companies, including those in the Yeosu Industrial Complex, not just a few large corporations,” and emphasized the necessity of “forming a citizen-centered public discussion body so that companies can fulfill their social responsibilities.”

The city council sent the resolution to Yeosu City and companies in the Yeosu Industrial Complex.