Gangwon Province Initiates Procedures to Designate Oji 3-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon County as "Odor Management Zone"

Collecting Opinions from Stakeholders via Written and Email Submissions for 17 Days Until October 2
Seven Pig Farms Included; Mandatory Reporting and Mitigation Facilities Expected to Alleviate Resident Inconvenience

On September 16, the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced that it will initiate administrative procedures to designate a 33,594-square-meter area covering seven pig farms in Oji 3-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon County as an odor management zone. This move aims to address odor complaints and create a more pleasant living environment.

Exterior view of Gangwon Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Government.

The province will post a notice regarding the "Odor Management Zone Designation Plan and Collection of Opinions" on the official websites of the provincial government and Cheorwon County Office. Opinions from interested parties will be accepted in writing or via email for 17 days, from September 16 to October 2.

The Oji 3-ri area in Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon County, was selected for the Ministry of Environment's 2024 Odor Status Survey Project. Over the course of a year, the Korea Environment Corporation conducted a survey and confirmed that odor from pig farms was affecting the living environment of local residents. As a result, the need to designate the area as an odor management zone was raised, and in June, the Ministry of Environment recommended the designation to the province.

The proposed odor management zone will include seven pig farms in Oji 3-ri, with a total of 8,914 pigs. The designation and official announcement are expected in October. Once designated, the facilities must report the installation of odor-emitting equipment and submit mitigation plans within six months of the announcement, and must install reduction facilities within one year.

Additionally, the province plans to implement systematic odor reduction measures, including the operation of a real-time odor collection system, strengthened guidance and inspections of emission facilities, consulting on odor reduction technologies, and establishing a cooperative framework with residents. Follow-up odor status surveys will also be conducted at the designated sites.

Yoon Seung-gi, Director of the Forest and Environment Bureau of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "Over the past four years, 398 odor complaints have been filed, indicating ongoing inconvenience for residents. We expect that the designation of this odor management zone will help improve the living environment for residents of Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon County. We will continue to do our best to create a pleasant residential environment and resolve social conflicts."