"Residents of Hakcheon-dong, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk Say 'Can't Live with Dust and Noise'"

Residents Raise Concerns Over Aggregate Crushing and Stockpiling Plant Near Village

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Tae-in] Residents of Hakcheon-dong, Jinan-eup, Jeonbuk, living near a pollution-emitting company, have filed complaints, suffering from dust and noise.

Some residents of Hakcheon 4-dong stated on the 23rd that the J Aggregate Crushing and Stockpiling Plant located in Gunsang-ri, Jinan-eup, Jinan-gun, has been operating with a permit obtained over ten years ago, causing significant disruption to daily life.

The residents expressed frustration, saying, "This plant emits severe dust and noise, causing immense damage to nearby residents, Jungang Elementary School, Jinan Office of Education, the sewage treatment plant, and Jinan County Health Center. Although over 100 complainants submitted a petition to the relevant departments last October, it was to no avail."

They also claimed, "It is suspicious that four cancer patients have occurred among residents near the plant, possibly caused by inhalation of carcinogenic stone dust."

They continued, "The agricultural road in Hakcheon 4-dong next to National Route 30 has practically become a private road for the company, and farmers actually feel endangered by dump trucks," emphasizing, "the noise generated here is also disrupting the classes of neighboring elementary school students."

Furthermore, "They stockpile raw stones, gravel, and sand on-site, and the wastewater generated here flows into the upper stream of Yongdam Dam, causing pollution," and "despite this, Jinan-gun renews permits without even consulting the opinions of related residents each time," they criticized.

They added, "We will file complaints to prevent the company from renewing permits after the expiration of the factory and crushing and stockpiling site permits in March and July next year," and "If Jinan-gun ignores the residents, we will file complaints with the Environmental Agency, environmental organizations, and the Human Rights Commission and take legal action to have the factory relocated."

In response, a Jinan-gun official said, "We will thoroughly investigate the complaints and take administrative action against any violations of regulations," adding, "We will conduct a detailed investigation into the issues raised by residents and respond appropriately."

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