Dangjin City Council Holds Forum on Waste Landfill Management Measures

The Dangjin City Council of Chungnam held a legislative forum on the 29th at the Dangjin City Hall's medium conference room with the theme of establishing management measures for waste end-of-use landfills. The photo shows a commemorative photo of the forum participants. Photo by Dangjin City Council

The Dangjin City Council in South Chungcheong Province held a legislative debate on the 29th at the Dangjin City Hall main conference room, focusing on management measures for landfills where waste disposal has ended.

The debate was presided over by Vice Chair Choi Yeonsuk, with more than 50 participants including Council Chair Seo Younghun, other city council members, presenters and panelists, Dangjin City Hall officials, and citizens.

Choi Yeonsuk, Vice Chair of the Dangjin City Council, served as the moderator, while Ha Seungsu, Director of the Public Interest Law Center Nongbon, and Song Changseok, President of the Institute for Local Autonomy, delivered presentations and engaged in a discussion sharing various perspectives.

Scene from the council debate held on the 29th. /Dangjin City Council

During his presentation, Director Ha Seungsu pointed out, "Industrial waste generated from waste management can be brought in from anywhere nationwide, leading to regional conflicts, a private company-centered processing structure, excessive profit-seeking, and insufficient post-management."

He added, "These issues are causing severe regional conflict and environmental pollution," and emphasized, "It is necessary to strengthen public responsibility and introduce a clear post-management system and resident monitoring framework."

President Song Changseok stated, "The problems that have arisen in the post-management stage of the waste landfill facilities in the Gode and Bugok National Industrial Complexes in Dangjin are extremely serious," and suggested, "In addition to institutional improvements to resolve issues regarding the use of upper landfill land and post-management, it is necessary to review safety and establish appropriate facilities."

Kim Youngseong, Director of the Dangjin City Resource Circulation Division, said, "Although the leachate level has reached a dangerous point, the high salinity and excessive treatment costs make it difficult for the local government to respond on its own," and added, "National support is needed, and we are repeatedly requesting it."

Choi Yeonsuk, Vice Chair of the Dangjin City Council, remarked, "Through hearing various opinions on the leachate issue at the landfill facilities, we were able to reconfirm the seriousness of the problem," and pledged, "The Dangjin City Council will continue its efforts to resolve the issue and do its utmost to ensure that today's discussions are reflected in policy."