Suncheon City Sparks Controversy Over Proposal to Arrest Citizens for Illegal Landfill... Calls for Unified Voice

Dolsan-eup Forest Damage and Coastal Destruction... Civic Groups Criticize Yeosu City's Lenient Punishment

Citizens believed that Suncheon City was carrying out construction work due to the park development information sign posted at the illegal landfill site (Provided by citizens).

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] A large-scale illegal activity occurred within the Suncheon Bay Ecosystem Protection Zone, prompting Suncheon City to demand strict punishment from the judiciary.

This case involves Mr. A, who was accused by Suncheon City in April of illegal landfill and illegal alteration of tens of thousands of square meters of farmland, reservoirs, and salt fields within the ecological protection zone in Nongju-ri, Haeryong-myeon, Suncheon City. The case was reported to judicial authorities.

The reason this case, reported in April, has come back into the spotlight is due to controversy sparked by some claiming that "Suncheon City requested the judiciary to arrest a citizen," which led to widespread reproduction of the issue.

Upon discovering the illegal landfill and alteration within the ecosystem protection zone, Suncheon City immediately issued an order to restore the original state and reported the matter to judicial authorities. The city has strongly responded by holding four countermeasure meetings at the Nongju-ri site in Haeryong-myeon.

A city official explained the reason for recommending detention to the judiciary was due to "the intelligent and repeated illegal development over several years, the attitude of mocking public authority despite orders to restore the original state and complaints, and the lack of remorse or improvement," making detention unavoidable.

Additionally, the official stated, "If the perpetrator does not comply with the restoration order, the city will have to invest billions of won of taxpayers' money in administrative execution, and the exercise of claims for reimbursement following administrative execution will require significant time and cost." On the other hand, "Due to uncertainties such as not being able to guarantee 100% reimbursement of execution costs through claims, detention investigation was recommended."

In other words, the interpretation is that if detention investigation is conducted, the perpetrator's willingness to restore the original state will increase, and administrative execution or claims for reimbursement may not be necessary.

This is not the first time Suncheon City has recommended detention investigation to judicial authorities; last year, the city also recommended detention twice when filing complaints related to wastewater discharge from the Suncheon Resource Circulation Center.

Despite Suncheon City's recommendations, the judiciary's lenient punishments have left ongoing issues with the Resource Circulation Center unresolved, making waste landfill and treatment urgent and major tasks to be addressed during the 7th local government administration.

(Photo by Suncheon City) This photo shows salt fields and farmland being developed, indicating that large-scale construction has been underway for several years.

Meanwhile, on the 22nd, the Yeosu Civic Society Coalition issued a statement urging immediate restoration and strict judicial investigation regarding forest destruction and coastal environmental damage caused by a resort company A located in Pyeongsari, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu City.

According to media reports, several thousand square meters of forest land in Pyeongsari, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu City, were illegally cut and filled, destroying hundreds of trees and other forest areas.

Additionally, hundreds of square meters of public waterside natural rock were drilled, and artificial concrete was poured, destroying the beautiful natural environment.

The Yeosu civic groups stated, "Yeosu City, which holds the authority to grant permits and supervisory responsibility, must issue strict orders for restoration." They criticized Yeosu City's lax administration as issuing lenient restoration orders.

Yeosu MBC reported with a photo that artificial concrete was poured onto the natural coastal rocks, pointing out that the beautiful natural environment has been destroyed.

This is an administrative and civic group reaction that contrasts with Suncheon City.

A representative of an environmental group in Suncheon City said, "Suncheon City is doing well," adding, "We must speak with one voice using a strict standard against illegal acts such as environmental destruction." They also said, "We have the responsibility and duty to preserve the natural environment we currently enjoy and pass it on to future generations."

A resident L living in Haeryong-myeon said, "Since it was a large-scale construction, I thought Suncheon City was responsible," and added, "I only recently learned that it was an illegal construction."

Citizen J remarked, "Suncheon City's administration is doing well, but labeling the citizen who committed the illegal act as an ordinary citizen must have another purpose," criticizing the situation.

Citizen M said, "Isn't this an era demanding strict standards from judicial authorities on environmental issues?" and added, "Let's watch the judiciary's decision."