Follow-up Measures Lacking for Over Two Years After Contamination Was Confirmed
Minor Disciplinary Action for Three Officials, Warning for Successor Department Head
It was revealed through an audit that Gwangsan District in Gwangju failed to respond appropriately even after groundwater contamination was confirmed at the Hanam Industrial Complex. As a result, minor disciplinary action was recommended for three officials who were in charge of the work at the time, and a warning was requested for one subsequent department head.
On the afternoon of July 16, the Citizens' Countermeasure Committee for Groundwater Pollution in Hanam Industrial Complex and Suwan District held a press conference in front of Gwangsan District Office in Gwangju, condemning Gwangju City and Gwangsan District for failing to prevent carcinogenic contamination of groundwater. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On September 26, Gwangsan District announced the results of a special audit that examined the handling process of the groundwater and soil contamination investigation at the Hanam Industrial Complex. The audit found that even after the contamination was specifically confirmed, management plans and follow-up measures were insufficient, and documentation and reporting procedures were not properly followed.
According to Gwangsan District, discussions regarding the work took place only among the working-level official, the team leader, and the department head, with no reports made to higher-level officials such as the bureau chief, deputy district mayor, or district mayor. The district pointed out that it was problematic that even the district mayor was not informed, despite the issue affecting residents' rights and obligations.
Based on the audit results, minor disciplinary action will be requested for the working-level official, team leader, and department head who were in charge at the time, and a warning will be requested for one subsequent department head. Minor disciplinary actions include reprimands and salary reductions, with the final decision to be made by the disciplinary committee.
Park Byungkyu, the head of Gwangsan District Office, explained, "The contamination had already been confirmed when we established the groundwater management plan in 2019, which is why the investigation was commissioned. I was not informed of the relevant details and only learned about them through media reports."
Previously, Gwangsan District was criticized for failing to take action for more than two years after confirming through a 2023 investigation that trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), both classified as Group 1 carcinogens, were detected at up to 466 times and 284 times the standard levels, respectively. Subsequently, the district conducted a comprehensive survey of groundwater in the Hanam Industrial Complex and nearby residential areas, identified 16 contaminated wells within the industrial complex, and ordered remediation measures or well closures. No contaminants exceeding the standards were found in the residential areas.
The district plans to continue with additional investigations and water quality monitoring, and to pursue remediation projects in cooperation with Gwangju City.
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