Permit Deadline Approaching
Concerns Over Infringement of Residents' Housing and Environmental Rights Raised Again
Gijang County (Governor Jeong Jongbok) has strongly urged Busan City to reject any extension requests and to completely cancel the large-scale industrial waste landfill project currently being promoted in the Myeongnye-ri area of Jangan-eup, as the deadline for permit application approaches.
On February 2, Gijang County issued a statement saying, "The project operator will naturally lose the right to proceed with the project as the statutory period for permit application expires," and added, "There is neither any legal basis nor justification for Busan City to grant the operator special favors by extending the permit period."
The Myeongnye-ri industrial waste landfill project was accelerated in February 2023 when Busan City notified the private operator that the business plan was 'appropriate,' despite Gijang County's continued opposition. Subsequently, Busan City attempted to revise the relevant ordinance to reclaim the authority of basic local governments to designate urban planning facilities for waste treatment facilities. However, this move failed due to resistance from local residents and joint opposition from all 16 districts and counties.
Currently, the project operator has not even submitted the essential proposal for the urban management plan, and the three-year statutory deadline for permit application is about to expire.
Jeong Jongbok, Governor of Gijang County, stated, "Busan City's unilateral notification of the appropriateness of the waste business plan has heightened residents' anxiety and suffering, resulting only in the unnecessary waste of administrative resources. Busan City must immediately withdraw its plan to establish a new industrial waste landfill and, should there be any extension request, must reject it strictly according to laws and principles."
Gijang County has particularly pointed out that the site conditions and regional value of the planned area have changed significantly compared to the initial plan. The Myeongnye-ri area is an ecological region inhabited by endangered species such as salamanders and fireflies. Within a 3 km radius are the ancient Buddhist temple Jangan-sa, Andersen Fairy Tale Village, and the Busan Gijang Filming Studio, the largest comprehensive film studio in Korea, making it an emerging tourism and cultural hub in the Yeongnam region.
Additionally, since 2023, the adjacent site has been home to the 7.7-hectare 'Jangan Healing Forest,' which serves as a recreational space for local residents. Construction of the 'Myeongnye Sports Park,' equipped with an 18-hole park golf course and sports facilities, is also scheduled to begin in the second half of this year.
Furthermore, Gijang County is promoting an eco-friendly landfill for industrial waste generated from 13 local industrial complexes through a public development approach, in accordance with the principle of 'waste should be processed where it is generated.' The county maintains that it cannot accept Busan City's demand to take on waste from outside the region.
Governor Jeong stated, "Given that the site conditions and regional value have changed so drastically, this location is highly unsuitable for an industrial waste landfill. Busan City must re-examine all matters from the beginning and ensure that the private operator's business plan is completely canceled."
He further emphasized, "We firmly reject the industrial waste landfill plan, which infringes upon residents' rights to housing, environment, and the pursuit of happiness. If such attempts continue, we will mobilize all available means and fight to the end together with our 180,000 residents."
Following the release of the statement, Governor Jeong Jongbok is scheduled to personally visit Busan City Hall on February 3 to continue a solo protest against the Myeongnye-ri industrial waste landfill project.
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