Multiple Companies Illegally Discharging Environmental Pollutants Caught in Large Numbers

Yeongsangang Cheong, Administrative Disposition Request and Self-Investigation Followed by Planned Referral to Prosecution

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] A large number of companies illegally discharging environmental pollutants have been caught.

The Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office (Director Ryu Yeon-gi) announced on the 10th that, as a result of a joint inspection of 31 pollutant-emitting companies located in industrial complexes and nearby local governments in the Gwangju area, violations were confirmed at 10 companies with 10 cases.

This joint inspection, conducted together with Gwangju Metropolitan City and others, took place from the 28th of last month to the 5th of this month.

By category, there were 7 cases related to air pollutant emissions, 2 cases related to waste, and 1 case related to chemical substances.

Among these, one company will be investigated directly by the Environmental Office for the degree of violation and will be referred to the competent prosecution office, while the 9 companies subject to administrative measures such as fines were notified to the relevant local governments for immediate action.

The main types of violations detected in this inspection include operating air emission facilities without permits and improperly operating air pollution prevention facilities.

This inspection focused on workplaces handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals with significant potential impact in case of environmental accidents, and industries that emit large amounts of pollutants causing fine dust and ozone (such as VOCs), including painting and printing, prioritizing the safety and health protection of local residents.

A representative of the Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office stated, “We will continue to conduct joint inspections using advanced equipment such as drones together with local governments until the end of the year,” and added, “We will concentrate all our efforts on improving local, everyday environmental issues such as fine dust and ozone.”

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