Mapo District: "Seoul Mayor's Disparagement of Mapo Residents and District Mayor Highly Inappropriate"

On July 18, Mapo District in Seoul (District Mayor Park Kangsoo) issued a strong rebuttal to Seoul Metropolitan Government’s stance on the Sangam-dong Resource Recovery Facility (waste incineration plant), expressing deep regret over what it described as a distortion of the district mayor’s remarks and an inappropriate assessment of Mapo residents.

Exterior view of Mapo District Office building. Provided by Mapo District Office.

Mapo District responded to Seoul’s criticism that “the district mayor must provide accurate information to residents,” stating, “In both the construction of the new metropolitan resource recovery facility and the issues surrounding the existing facility, Seoul Metropolitan Government has unilaterally pushed ahead with the project without consultation or communication,” and added, “Seoul has repeatedly made one-sided decisions without sufficient review or response to the alternatives proposed by the district.”

In particular, regarding Seoul’s claim that the “Mapo Resource Recovery Facility is in effect a replacement,” Mapo District pointed out, “In August last year, Mayor Oh Sehoon officially stated at the city council that the demolition of the existing incineration plant would be moved up, resulting in both incineration plants operating simultaneously for five to six years.” The district continued, “This clearly means the two incineration plants will coexist, and calling this an ‘effective replacement’ is a self-contradictory argument that misleads citizens.”

Mapo District also responded to Seoul’s assertion that “the Mapo District Mayor deliberately distorted the mayor’s remarks and incited public opinion,” stating, “Seoul Metropolitan Government is prioritizing administrative convenience without persuading or communicating with citizens,” and pointed out, “Unilaterally pushing the project forward without seriously listening to residents and opposing public opinion is at odds with the city’s emphasis on communicative governance.”

Mapo District emphasized, “Seoul’s attitude of dismissing the district mayor’s efforts to represent residents’ rights to health and a clean environment as ‘incitement’ is a highly inappropriate act that disregards both the residents and the district mayor,” adding, “We express our strong regret over this matter.”

Meanwhile, on July 16, during a press conference marking his third year in office, Mayor Oh stated regarding the Sangam-dong Resource Recovery Facility, “Initially, it was conveyed as if another waste incineration plant would be added, but in reality, after the new facility is built, the existing one will be demolished as soon as possible,” and added, “The Mapo District Mayor should faithfully serve as a messenger to communicate the new paradigm being prepared by Seoul Metropolitan Government to the residents.”

In response to Mapo District’s protest, Seoul Metropolitan Government reiterated on the morning of July 18, “The Mapo District Mayor is deliberately distorting the mayor’s remarks and inciting residents and public opinion, despite being fully aware of the context.”