With the Seoul Metropolitan Government deciding not to file an appeal in the administrative lawsuit regarding the construction of the Sangam-dong Resource Recovery Facility (incineration plant), Mapo-gu residents have achieved a final victory with the verdict from the appellate court. The court's decision, which found procedural flaws in the city's process for promoting the incinerator, has now been confirmed.
Mayor Kangsoo Park of Mapo District Office and residents submitting a petition containing their wishes opposing the construction of an additional incineration plant. Provided by Mapo District Office.
Mapo-gu (Mayor Kangsoo Park) stated on the 3rd, "We actively welcome Seoul City's decision not to appeal," adding, "This outcome is the result of joint efforts by the district and its residents."
Previously, in 2022, the Seoul Metropolitan Government selected Sangam-dong as the candidate site for a new resource recovery facility. In response, Mapo-gu and local residents filed an administrative lawsuit, arguing that building another incinerator in Mapo-gu, which already has such a facility, violated the principle of regional equity.
The court ruled in favor of the Mapo-gu residents both in the first trial (January 10, 2025) and in the second trial (February 12, 2026), citing flaws in the procedures such as the composition of the site selection committee and the feasibility study. With Seoul City opting not to appeal the verdict, the legal dispute has come to a close.
Mapo-gu consistently maintained its opposition to the city's unilateral decision. Since 2022, the district has sent multiple official requests for withdrawal, asserting that "an additional incinerator would place an excessive burden on local residents." Over 38,000 signatures opposing the plan were submitted to the city, and residents also participated in the lawsuit as supplementary intervenors.
Rather than simply opposing the project, the district also proposed alternatives. Through its own analysis, Mapo-gu confirmed that thorough waste separation at the source could significantly reduce the incineration volume, and suggested waste reduction and increased recycling rates as solutions. In addition, it is promoting comprehensive measures including: establishing a robust separation and collection system, expanding coffee grounds recycling, and strengthening on-site waste processing at businesses.
Mayor Kangsoo Park said, "Seoul City's decision to forgo an appeal is the result of the voices of Mapo-gu residents and our district policies," and added, "We will strive to expand waste reduction and recycling-focused policies throughout Seoul."
With this ruling, the plan to construct an additional incinerator in Sangam-dong has effectively been scrapped. Seoul City is expected to revisit alternative strategies, such as region-by-region waste management plans, going forward.
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