Pristine Natural Environment in Yangsan Faces Outrage from Citizens over "Animal Crematorium, Funeral Hall, and Food Waste Facility"

Social organizations in Yangsan City are opposing the food waste treatment facility by hanging banners throughout the city streets. Photo by Joo Cheol-in x906@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Citizens of Yangsan have opposed after a private company applied for a food waste disposal business permit.

According to the Yangsan Resident Autonomy Committee on the 5th, the company plans to establish a facility in the Sangbuk-myeon area of Yangsan City to recycle 40 tons of food waste collected nationwide per day.

Upon learning of this, local organizations such as the Sangbuk-myeon Resident Autonomy Committee have launched a petition demanding the withdrawal of the permit.

The Sangbuk-myeon Resident Autonomy Committee strongly opposed in a statement, saying, "In peaceful Sangbuk-myeon, which has a pristine natural environment, there are already two animal crematories, two industrial complexes, three golf courses, and recently a funeral hall is planned. Now they want to build a food waste disposal site as well, which is outrageous to the residents."

They argued, "If the food waste disposal site is established, food waste dropped during transportation on National Road 35 passing through Sangbuk or along the riverside roads will cause foul odors," adding, "Pests such as flies and mosquitoes will infest near the business site, and the entire Sangbuk-myeon will suffer from severe odors."

They continued, "There is the Oeseok Stream near the business site, and if leachate from the waste pollutes it, not only Oeseok Village but also villages along the stream such as Naeseok, Jwasam, and Sangsam, as well as Yangsan Stream, are likely to be contaminated," adding, "The nearby elementary school will suffer infringements on both learning rights and health rights."

The residents' opposition is strong, with about 1,200 people participating in the petition within three days of its launch. Tongdosa Temple, located 3 to 4 km from the planned site and near a World Cultural Heritage site, also joined the petition opposing the establishment of the waste disposal facility nearby.

On the 4th, the Sangbuk-myeon Resident Autonomy Committee submitted a petition along with signatures to the city, requesting the rejection of the waste disposal business permit.

The city plans to conduct interdepartmental consultations regarding the permit application and request a technical review from the Korea Environment Corporation.

A city official stated, "We plan to comprehensively review the legal aspects of the permit application, residents' opinions, and environmental impacts before deciding whether to approve it."

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