Kim Ikang, Mayor of Gwangju Seo-gu, Visits Pungam Lake Site Amid Algae Bloom Complaints

Published 14 Jul.2022 14:14(KST)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Kim I-gang, Mayor of Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, visited the site of Pungam Lake on the morning of the 14th, where complaints about foul odors due to algal blooms have been ongoing.

According to Seo-gu on that day, Pungam Lake has seen a rapid proliferation of odorous cyanobacteria caused by continuous drought and dry spells, leading to complaints about foul smells around the Rose Garden and the area near 2mokgyo Bridge.

Mayor Kim I-gang, along with public officials, directly experienced and confirmed the complaints on-site and inspected the Rose Garden and the area near 2mokgyo Bridge, where algal bloom complaints are concentrated, to alleviate the inconvenience faced by citizens using the lake.

At the site, Mayor Kim listened directly to the residents' inconveniences and suggestions for improvement, stating, "As the mayor, I will do my best to make this a premium urban lake park where citizens can relax in a more pleasant environment and enjoy walking in the lakeside park."

He then received a report from representatives of Bitgoeul Central Park Development, the private park project operator for Central Park (District 1), regarding the Central Park development plan and water quality improvement measures for Pungam Lake, requesting that "fundamental measures such as excluding initial non-point source pollution and supplying clear water for water quality improvement be established."

Mayor Kim I-gang proposed to the private park project operator to supplement the currently insufficient children's playground facilities so that Central Park, which embraces Pungam Lake, can become a space of harmony for all generations.

A representative from Bitgoeul Central Park Development stated, "We will actively review residents' opinions and the mayor's proposals and do our best to make it a premium Central Park where everyone from children to adults can feel and enjoy beautiful nature together."