Im Ija: "Inspection Rate of Environmental Pollutant Emission Sites Only 1% on Average"

"Unreasonably Insufficient Workforce Compared to Inspection Target Workplaces"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] It has been revealed that the inspection rate of environmental pollution discharge sites by the Environmental Special Judicial Police (Environmental Special Police) under the local environmental offices is only about 1% on average.

According to data on the number of Environmental Special Police personnel and inspection status submitted by each local environmental office to the office of Lim Eui-ja, a member of the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee from the People Power Party, the inspection rate of environmental pollution discharge sites over the past five years is only about 1% on average, with the inspection rate of the Hangang River Basin Environmental Office's Environmental Special Police being as low as 0.3%.

The Environmental Special Police investigate various environmental crimes within the scope of duties stipulated by law, collect related evidence, and conduct inspections of environmental pollution discharge sites within their jurisdiction.

Also, this year, the number of Environmental Special Police personnel at the Jeonbuk Regional Environmental Office decreased from 7 last year to 6. Although the number of sites subject to inspection increased compared to the previous year at the Geumgang River Basin Environmental Office, Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office, and Wonju Regional Environmental Office, the number of Environmental Special Police personnel remained the same, worsening the situation as the number of sites per inspector increased.

Assembly member Lim pointed out, "I question whether the Environmental Special Police system is ineffective," and said, "The biggest reason for the low inspection rate is the ridiculously insufficient personnel compared to the number of sites to be inspected."

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