Mapo District: "Unilateral Incinerator Agreement... Extension Without Residents' Consent Is Invalid"

"Indefinite Extension of Operation Forces Residents to Sacrifice"
"Seoul City Visits Instead of Consulting... Lacks Fairness and Due Process"

Seoul Metropolitan Government has extended the joint-use agreement for the Sangam-dong Resource Recovery Facility (incineration plant) in Mapo District to remain in effect "until the facility is closed." In response, Mapo District has strongly objected, calling it a "unilateral extension without residents' consent." On May 30, Mapo District criticized Seoul's actions and stated, "We will mobilize all administrative and legal measures."

Park Gangsu, mayor of Mapo District, and officials are urging the withdrawal of the final decision to establish a new waste incineration plant in front of the Mapo Resource Recovery Facility. Provided by Mapo District.

Regarding Seoul's claim that "Mapo District's actual waste reduction and recycling performance is lower than the city average," Mapo District countered, "The 54,987 tons of household waste from Mapo District announced by Seoul in 2024 is not accurate." The district stated, "The actual amount brought in was 48,587 tons, which is a reduction of 2,074 tons compared to the previous year." The district further argued, "Seoul maliciously inflated the 2024 figure by adding 6,400 tons of waste that cannot be incinerated at the facility, making it appear as if the waste volume increased."

While Seoul stated, "We faithfully carried out the consultation process, including five official requests for discussions with Mapo District and four on-site visits," Mapo District refuted this, saying, "There was no substantive consultation." In reality, Seoul notified Mapo District of a consultation visit via email on April 4, but the official document was not sent until April 11, and Seoul had already visited Mapo District on April 10.

According to Mapo District, the process ended with only a statement that "the matter would be reported to the district mayor." Even after that, Seoul rejected most of the district's proposals, including withdrawing the lawsuit for a new incinerator, applying the principle of processing waste at the place of origin, and increasing the waste intake fee and pay-as-you-throw bag prices. The district also pointed out, "The agreement clearly states that, in case of disagreement, an operations committee should be formed for further discussions, but Seoul ignored this procedure and unilaterally claimed that the consultation process was completed."

Seoul emphasized fairness by stating, "Other resource recovery facilities in Nowon, Yangcheon, and Gangnam are also operated 'until closure.'" However, Mapo District criticized this, saying, "Setting the operation period indefinitely is administrative convenience that disregards local residents," and argued, "Imposing a fixed waste disposal burden on Mapo District institutionalizes the avoidance of responsibility by other districts."

Seoul has announced plans to close the existing 750-ton incineration plant by 2035. However, Mapo District argued that extending the agreement "until the facility is closed" "provides grounds for the permanent use of the existing incinerator." The district emphasized that "the agreement period should be flexibly adjusted in response to changes in the environment, technology, and population."

Mapo District stated, "As a metropolitan government, Seoul has used its superior position, budget, and administrative power to unilaterally announce plans for an additional incinerator in Mapo District, a basic local government, and signed agreements with other districts, excluding Mapo, simply because the facility is owned by Seoul." The district added, "This series of actions falls short of proper and sincere administrative procedures and clearly violates the principles of fairness and equality."

Mapo District declared, "We condemn Seoul's unilateral announcement of an additional incinerator, the resulting administrative lawsuit, and the entire process of excluding Mapo District from the joint-use agreement for the Mapo Resource Recovery Facility." The district plans to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. on June 9 in front of the Mapo Resource Recovery Facility, titled "Resolute Opposition to Additional Incinerator Installation and Invalidity of the Joint-Use Agreement for the Mapo Resource Recovery Facility."