Suspicion of Illegal Waste Landfill Near Yeosu City Dredged Soil Disposal Site

Leachate Flows into Sea near Myodo and Gwangyang Bay, Raising Marine Pollution Concerns

Nearby Residents Claim Direct Witnessing... Local Authorities' Crackdown Questionable

After a loud explosion with sparks, smoke is coming out from the landfill layer.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] Controversy has arisen over suspicions that a large amount of waste is being illegally buried near the dredged soil dumping site in Myodo-dong, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do.

Although some residents claim to have witnessed it firsthand, the local government of Yeosu-si, which has jurisdiction, has been passive, raising concerns about complacent administration.

On the 17th, around San 12-1, Myodo-dong, Yeosu-si (16,300㎡, about 5,400 pyeong). This is the restoration site of the borrow pit near the dredged soil landfill port redevelopment project in Myodo-dong, Yeosu-si.

At the site, waste was visibly exposed on both sides of the waterway at the boundary between the industrial complex and private land. It appeared that concealment-type illegal landfill was actively underway to quickly hide the illegal dumping.

Nearby, H Construction's landfill section was undergoing continuous embankment work day after day.

Residents of Myodo say that this illegal landfill has been ongoing for a long time.

Mr. A stated, "For the past several months, waste transport and landfill mainly took place on holidays when no work was being done," and added, "Recently, as residents raised issues one after another, other waste was brought in and buried again by refilling the site."

He also pointed out, "This is a clear illegal act carried out knowing that the industrial complex site security office does not control access on weekends," and emphasized, "Prompt administrative action and strict punishment are necessary."

At the landfill site owned by the Kim family clan near the landfill construction site, a large amount of waste was visibly protruding above the ground, and a foul smell of oil was pervasive. Additionally, what appeared to be leachate filled the waterways.

It is also a major concern that the leachate from this area flows through Myodo-dong into the sea in front of Myodo and Gwangyang Bay, inevitably leading to marine pollution.

Since the landfill, plastic waste has surfaced, and the waterway is filled with contaminated water that appears to be leachate.

The situation is even more serious if the buried waste is industrial (designated) waste. Only thoroughly licensed companies are allowed to handle it.

Handling and storage by unlicensed companies, transportation by vehicles without proper permits, and unreported processing of industrial waste constitute serious environmental crimes subject to legal action.

Despite this situation, Yeosu-si not only failed to crack down but was also found to have informed the business operators in advance about media coverage, allowing them to obstruct reporting and avoid administrative enforcement.

Moreover, at the site, to conceal illegal landfill, the contaminated landfill was managed by covering it entirely with other embankment materials. Recently, when another embankment material was added to what appeared to be steel slag landfill material, an explosion occurred, producing smoke for several hours.

One resident said, "In March and April, I also witnessed large amounts of waste being buried here in ton bags (large woven sacks)," and expressed frustration, "When an explosion and flames occurred on the 13th, I reported it to Yeosu-si, but the administrative authorities did not dispatch a team or conduct enforcement."

Regarding this, a Yeosu-si official explained, "There are many difficulties in enforcement," and added, "If you report directly to the police, the city can join in the enforcement."

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