Will an Incheon Eco Land Residents' Council Be Formed?… Ongjin County Mayor and Residents "Strongly Oppose"

Incheon City Proposes Formation of Resident Council in Ongjin-gun
Residents: "Absolutely No to Coal Power Plant and Waste Landfill"
County Governor Jang Jeong-min Begins Tent Hunger Strike in Front of City Hall

The area around Oeri, Yeongheungdo, Ongjin-gun, announced by Incheon City as a candidate site for Eco Land
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City has officially proposed the formation of a resident consultative body to Ongjin County, the local government jurisdiction of the candidate site, regarding the 'Incheon Eco Land' new waste landfill project being promoted in preparation for the termination of the use of the metropolitan landfill site in 2025.

However, it is uncertain whether the city’s proposal will be accepted, as Ongjin County, the county council, and local residents all oppose the creation of Eco Land.

According to the city on the 2nd, it has decided to form a resident consultative body as an advisory and consultative organization for the eco-friendly and citizen-friendly promotion of Incheon Eco Land, and requested Ongjin County to submit review opinions on this by the 4th.

The resident consultative body will include the Incheon City Deputy Mayor and the Transportation and Environment Coordinator, and the Deputy County Governor of Ongjin County as ex officio members, and will be composed of up to 15 members including 2 city council members, 2 Ongjin County council members, 4 representatives of Yeongheung-myeon residents, and 4 experts.

The city plans to launch and operate the resident consultative body within this month once the composition plan is finalized through consultation with Ongjin County.

Earlier, the city announced Yeongheung-myeon, Ongjin County as the candidate site for Eco Land on the 12th of last month.

In preparation for the termination of the metropolitan landfill site use in 2025, the city plans to invest 140 billion won by 2024 to create Eco Land in Yeongheung-myeon, where it will landfill incineration ash from Incheon’s household waste and non-combustible waste.

However, Ongjin County and Yeongheung-myeon residents are urging Incheon City to withdraw the Eco Land construction plan, citing concerns about environmental damage.

The 'Yeongheung-myeon Waste Landfill Construction Opposition Struggle Committee,' composed of Yeongheung Island residents, stated, "Incheon City is deceiving Yeongheung Island residents by announcing Yeongheung-myeon as the top candidate site for the landfill even before the city’s own landfill site selection research project has been completed," and demanded the city withdraw the plan, saying, "Establishing a waste landfill site in addition to the coal-fired power plant is a threat to residents, telling them not to live on Yeongheung Island."

Jang Jeong-min, the governor of Ongjin County, also began an indefinite hunger strike from 8 a.m. on the 1st in a tent set up in front of Incheon City Hall, demanding the withdrawal of the plan.

Governor Jang stated, "Yeongheung Island already suffers severe damage to residents from fine dust due to the coal-fired power plant, and it is unacceptable that Incheon City plans to establish a waste landfill site to be used for 40 years here without consulting residents or Ongjin County."

He added, "The process of selecting Yeongheung Island as a candidate site for the waste landfill was not transparent," emphasizing, "I will continue the indefinite protest until Incheon City withdraws the plan."

Incheon City emphasizes that Eco Land will be constructed as an eco-friendly facility with no environmental pollution or harm to residents, and plans to persuade residents with bold support measures.

Oh Heung-seok, the city’s Transportation and Environment Coordinator, said, "Securing resident acceptance is key to establishing resource and environmental facilities, so we will collect public opinion through the operation of the resident consultative body and steadily promote the major shift in resource circulation policy."

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