Yeongam-gun, Allegations of Preferential Treatment in Livestock Facility Permits... Audit Board Report

"We will review and take action once the Board of Audit and Inspection's decision is released."

Livestock barn in Dogap-ri, Gunseo-myeon, under suspicion of preferential treatment (Photo by reader)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] In Yeongam, Jeonnam, attention is focused on the outcome after a report was made to the Board of Audit and Inspection alleging preferential treatment in the approval of a livestock barn.

On the 27th, according to residents and others, the Board of Audit and Inspection notified Yeongam County by official letter that the processing period for the audit report (No. 2021－Report－06034) was set until the 24th of next month.

In particular, there are complaints that Yeongam County is showing a lukewarm attitude regarding the preferential treatment allegations and is ignoring the suffering of nearby residents.

Article 22 of the Livestock Act stipulates that livestock barns cannot be built within 500 meters of livestock-related facilities.

However, despite the livestock barn being only 200 meters away from a feed factory, which is a livestock-related facility, Yeongam County granted approval in 2019 for one livestock barn measuring 1,472㎡ in the Dogap-ri area of Gunseo-myeon, raising suspicions of preferential treatment.

Residents near the livestock barn reportedly appealed to the county about their suffering, but since no measures were taken, they reported the matter to the Board of Audit and Inspection.

Resident A said, “It is questionable how approval could have been granted while ignoring the law,” adding, “If there were officials who gave preferential treatment at the time, they should be held accountable, and even now, the illegal livestock barn should be demolished.”

Another resident, B, said, “The livestock barn suspected of preferential treatment should not be used for cattle but should be repurposed as a grain or feed storage warehouse,” and expressed, “The county should not just wait for the Board of Audit and Inspection’s results but find a solution as soon as possible.”

In response, a county official said, “The Board of Audit and Inspection visited the site last June, and we are waiting for the results,” adding, “Once the Board’s disposition results come out in September, we will review and take measures.”

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