Korea Forest Service and National Arboretum Oppose Jaidong Incineration Plant... New Frontline Emerges

Korea Forest Service, "Will Conduct Impact Study on Gwangneung Arboretum"
National Arboretum, "Concerns Over Negative Effects on Species Inhabiting the Arboretum"
Uijeongbu City, "Unavoidable Before Sharp Increase in Expired Waste Emissions"

Garbage? Incineration plant? Amid ongoing conflicts among Uijeongbu, Yangju, and Pocheon cities in Gyeonggi Province over the relocation, the Korea Forest Service and the National Arboretum have taken a stance of 'practical opposition' to the 'relocation of Uijeongbu City's garbage incineration plant to Jail-dong,' marking a new phase.

Choi Chunsik, a member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party (representing Pocheon City and Gapyeong County, and serving on the Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Affairs Committee), announced on the 26th, "During the National Assembly Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Committee briefing, I received a response from Nam Seonghyun, head of the Korea Forest Service, stating that they would express opposition to the relocation of the incineration plant to Jail-dong in Uijeongbu City."

Reference photo (Nam Seong-hyeon, Administrator of the Korea Forest Service) [Photo by Korea Forest Service]

According to Representative Choi, Director Nam said, "The National Arboretum (Gwangneung Arboretum) has expressed concerns regarding the relocation of the incineration plant." The National Arboretum's position is that moving the incineration plant to Jail-dong could have adverse effects on the organisms inhabiting the arboretum.

Director Nam stated, "The Korea Forest Service will share the same opinion as the arboretum," and added, "The Forest Service will also conduct investigative research on the potential impact of the incineration plant installation on the National Arboretum."

Uijeongbu City is currently pushing to relocate the incineration plant from Jangam-dong to Jail-dong (Uijeongbu City). Jail-dong is located only 5 km away from the National Arboretum in Soheul-eup, Pocheon City.

Representative Choi said, "I will request that the Korea Forest Service promptly conduct investigative research on the impact of the incineration plant on the arboretum's organisms," and added, "We will continuously consult with relevant agencies to ensure that the globally recognized Gwangneung Forest is not damaged."

He also expressed concern, saying, "Installing the incineration plant in Jail-dong, Uijeongbu, which is close to Soheul-eup in Pocheon, is expected to cause serious harm to Pocheon citizens and the nearby National Arboretum."

Jangam-dong Incineration Plant, Uijeongbu City
[Photo provided by Uijeongbu City]

Previously, in 2019, Uijeongbu City announced plans to relocate the garbage incineration plant from Jangam-dong to the Jail-dong Environmental Resource Center, citing reasons such as the end of the plant's lifespan (15 years) and a sharp increase in garbage output (approximately 57,000 tons annually).

The Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee under the Ministry of Environment accepted Uijeongbu City's position and issued a mediation result stating that "relocation to Jail-dong is appropriate."

In response, Yangju City and Pocheon City, located within a 2 km radius of Jail-dong, have opposed the move for over three years, citing concerns about environmental damage and ecosystem destruction.

Baek Younghyun, mayor of Pocheon City, stated, "Gwangneung Forest, designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is the nation's largest biodiversity hotspot, home to a total of 6,251 species including natural monuments, endangered species, specific plants of Gwangneung Forest, and specially protected forest species," adding, "Relocating the garbage incineration plant near Gwangneung Forest disregards our efforts to protect this ecological treasure."

A Yangju City official asserted, "Since Yangju citizens also oppose it, relocation to Jail-dong is absolutely unacceptable," and argued, "It is more reasonable to install incineration facilities underground at the existing Jangam-dong site."

Despite the mediation result from the Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee, Yangju and Pocheon cities continue to raise objections and maintain their opposition. With the Korea Forest Service and the National Arboretum aligning with their stance, a new front line is forming around the issue of the garbage incineration plant relocation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.