Kim Youngsun Criticizes Gwangsan District for Two Years of Neglect and Administrative Lapses
Youngsun Kim, a member of the Gwangsan District Council in Gwangju (Democratic Party of Korea, representing Suwan-dong, Hanam-dong, and Imgok-dong), pointed out the responsibility of Gwangsan District regarding the groundwater contamination incident at Hanam Industrial Complex, stating that "the administration neglected the issue for two years without taking any action." Kim also called for a comprehensive investigation of Hanam and Sochon Industrial Complexes, as well as the Kumho Tire site.
On July 22, during the second plenary session of the 298th temporary meeting of the Gwangsan District Council, Kim raised an urgent issue and said, "Although there have been three briefings and meetings regarding the groundwater contamination investigation at Hanam Industrial Complex, the district mayor stated that he had not been briefed." Kim continued, "Gwangju City requested Gwangsan District to establish its own plan twice, in April and December of last year, but Gwangsan District ignored these requests." Kim further criticized, "Gwangsan District was required to report the results of the research service to the council within 30 days and disclose them on its website and the National Policy Research Management System, but failed to do so."
Administrative measures regarding groundwater in the Hanam Industrial Complex area were also brought into question. Kim pointed out, "Group 1 carcinogens were detected in groundwater less than 35 meters deep, which is used as domestic water, yet Gwangsan District took no follow-up measures, citing that the water was not for drinking purposes." Kim also stated, "A comprehensive investigation and suspension order should have been issued in advance for wells less than 50 meters deep, such as small-scale wells, where there were concerns about unperformed water quality inspections."
Earlier, on July 18, the district issued suspension orders for 105 wells in the Hanam Industrial Complex area. These wells had either been excluded from water quality inspections or had not been tested by the users.
District Mayor Park Byungkyu stated via social media that "since 2021, no carcinogens have been detected in groundwater used by citizens, or the detected levels were below the standard." However, the next day, media reports revealed that there were many wells that had not been tested.
Kim also urged a thorough investigation, stating, "There is a possibility of similar groundwater and soil contamination at Sochon Industrial Complex, established in the 1980s, and at the Kumho Tire site, established in 1974."
On this day, Kim called for the following: a comprehensive investigation of groundwater and usage history at Hanam Industrial Complex; the establishment of a groundwater purification plan and a health impact assessment for residents; transparent disclosure of all research service results; and a comprehensive investigation of groundwater at Sochon Industrial Complex and the Kumho Tire site.
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