Targeted Inspections Prove Effective in Tackling Business Site Environmental Pollution

Targeted Inspections of Pollutant-Emitting Businesses
in Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone
Prove Effective in Preventing Environmental Pollution

The Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority's targeted inspections, tailored to the characteristics of each business site, are proving highly effective in preventing environmental pollution.

On May 1, the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority announced that it had inspected 80 facilities emitting environmental pollutants in the Machun Industrial Complex and Saenggok Industrial Complex, uncovering 14 violations at 14 sites.

In the first quarter of this year, the authority conducted inspections of 63 air and wastewater facilities and 17 waste management facilities. The inspections were carried out by a joint public-private task force, which included Gangseo District Office, Jinhae District Office, and local community groups.

Among the violations detected, the most common were nine cases of poor management, such as neglecting damaged prevention facilities or failing to complete technical training. Other violations included not operating prevention facilities and failing to report changes. The authority has completed administrative actions against these businesses, including business suspensions and fines. The total amount of fines imposed was 12 million won.

Since this year, the authority has been piloting an online application system for reporting business waste dischargers. Of the 40 applications received over two months, 10 were processed online. This system is scheduled to be fully implemented starting in May.

Additionally, through the environmental technology support project, the authority identified one wastewater-emitting facility in the Nammun District of Jinhae and, in cooperation with the Gyeongnam Green Environment Support Center, provided process diagnostics and equipment consulting. Furthermore, 19 businesses received installation cost support for attaching Internet of Things (IoT) air monitoring devices.

Park Sungho, head of the authority, stated, "We will continue to focus inspections on vulnerable periods and areas, while also strengthening institutional support to help companies enhance their own environmental management capabilities."