Gyeongbuk Province Appoints 'Regional Officers' for 15 Cities and Counties with High Waste Emissions

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongsangbuk-do announced on the 25th that it will designate and operate regional managers for 15 areas with large amounts of waste generation among the 23 cities and counties in the province as a special management measure for the rapid and safe disposal of illegal waste.

From June this year until the end of the year, seven people including Kim Jong-heon, Director of Environmental Policy, who is the overall manager, will be assigned to 39 illegal waste sites in 15 cities and counties including Pohang City, and they plan to accelerate illegal waste disposal through on-site inspections at least once a month and real-time monitoring.

Crackdowns on illegal waste will become stricter under the new 'Waste Management Act' effective from the 27th. Waste disposal companies must verify through permitting authorities such as cities and counties whether they have the appropriate qualifications and capabilities to continue waste disposal operations every five years.

In addition, with the introduction of a prior approval system for the transfer and assignment of waste disposal companies, previous name holders can no longer evade responsibility. Penalties for illegal dumping and landfill have also been strengthened, with business suspension imposed without fines for illegal acts.

Choi Dae-jin, Director of the Environment, Forestry and Resources Bureau of Gyeongbuk Province, said, "Through the operation of illegal waste disposal managers, we will actively promote on-site administration to quickly dispose of illegal waste that has not yet been processed," and added, "We plan to respond strongly to illegal activities in accordance with the strengthened laws."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.