Suspicion of Illegal Waste Landfill Near Dredged Soil Disposal Site in Yeosu City

Leachate Flows into Sea near Myodo and Gwangyang Bay, Raising Marine Pollution Concerns

Nearby Residents Claim Direct Witnessing... Local Authorities' Crackdown Remains Uncertain

After a loud explosion accompanied by flames, smoke is rising from the landfill layer.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Controversy is brewing over suspicions that a large amount of waste is being illegally buried near the dredged soil dumping site in Myodo-dong, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do.

Although some residents claim to have witnessed it firsthand, the local government of Yeosu-si, which has jurisdiction, has been passive, raising concerns about complacent administration.

On the 17th, around San 12-1, Myodo-dong, Yeosu-si (16,300㎡, about 5,400 pyeong). This area is near the dredged soil landfill site and the port redevelopment project in Myodo-dong, Yeosu-si, at a quarry site undergoing restoration after use.

At the site, waste was visibly exposed along both sides of the waterway at the boundary between the industrial complex and private land. It appeared that concealment-type illegal landfill was actively underway to quickly hide the illegal dumping.

Nearby, H Construction’s landfill work section is undergoing continuous embankment operations day after day.

Residents of Myodo say this illegal landfill has been ongoing for a long time.

Mr. A stated, “Over the past few months, waste transport and landfill mainly occurred on holidays when no work was being done,” and “Recently, as residents raised issues one after another, additional waste was brought in and covered up by backfilling the site.”

He added, “It is a clear illegal act carried out knowing that the industrial complex site’s security office does not control access on weekends,” and pointed out, “Prompt administrative action and strict punishment are necessary.”

At the landfill site owned by the Kim family clan near the landfill construction site, a large amount of waste was visibly protruding above the ground, and a foul smell of oil was pervasive. Additionally, what appeared to be leachate filled the waterway.

It is also a major issue that the leachate from this area flows through Myodo-dong into the sea in front of Myodo and Gwangyang Bay, inevitably leading to marine pollution.

After landfill, vinyl-type waste is protruding, and polluted water, believed to be leachate, fills the waterway.

The situation is even more serious if the buried waste is industrial (designated) waste. Only thoroughly licensed companies can handle it.

Handling and storage by unlicensed companies, transportation by vehicles without business permits, and unreported processing of industrial waste constitute serious environmental crimes subject to legal action.

Despite this situation, Yeosu-si not only failed to crack down but was also found to have informed the business operators in advance about media coverage, allowing them to obstruct reporting and evade administrative enforcement.

Moreover, at the site, to conceal illegal landfill, the contaminated landfill was managed by covering it entirely with other embankment materials. Recently, when another embankment material was added to what appeared to be steel slag landfill material, an explosion occurred, producing smoke for several hours.

A resident said, “In March and April, I also witnessed large amounts of waste being buried here in ton bags (large woven sacks),” and “When an explosion and flames occurred on the 13th, I reported it to Yeosu-si, but the administrative authorities did not dispatch personnel or conduct enforcement,” expressing frustration.

Regarding this, a Yeosu-si official explained, “There are many difficulties in enforcement,” and “If the police are directly reported to, the city can join in the enforcement.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr