Seoul City Supports Installation of 'Odor Prevention Facilities' in Restaurants and Laundries... Up to 10 Million Won

Support for Installation and Maintenance of Odor Prevention Facilities at Printing and Laundry Businesses Near Residential Areas
Applications Accepted by Environmental Departments of Relevant Districts Until the 19th of Next Month

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 15th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will accept applications for support in installing odor prevention facilities this year, targeting businesses such as restaurants and laundries near residential areas that frequently cause conflicts with nearby residents due to living odors.

The living odor prevention facility installation support project aims to reduce odors generated from small-scale businesses such as restaurants near residential areas by installing odor prevention facilities within the business premises. Seoul provides partial subsidies covering up to 70% of the installation cost, with a maximum of 10 million KRW.

Along with financial support for installation costs, the Seoul Green Environment Support Center will dispatch experts to the site to provide technical support from the design stage of the prevention facilities to installation and maintenance. After installation, the installation company will provide free maintenance services.

Unlike other regions, Seoul does not have odor-emitting facilities regulated by the Odor Prevention Act related to industrial complexes or livestock. However, there are living odor-generating businesses such as restaurants, printing shops, and laundries located adjacent to residential areas, making it difficult to reduce citizens' discomfort caused by living odors through legal regulations alone.

Previously, Seoul conducted a survey in November 2018 on 461 citizens living near 15 restaurants in 7 districts where odor prevention facilities were installed. As a result, 89% of respondents answered that "the odor decreased after installation."

Businesses wishing to apply should submit the application form and required documents to the environmental department of the relevant autonomous district office by visiting in person by the 19th of next month. Lee Dong-ryul, Director of the Seoul Environmental Policy Division, said, "Living odors generated from businesses such as restaurants near residential areas cause discomfort to nearby residents, but it is realistically difficult for small businesses to fully invest in odor prevention facilities, making it challenging to resolve living odor complaints. We hope many apply for this living odor reduction support project that protects both small business owners and residents facing economic difficulties due to COVID-19."

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