Mapo-gu Criticizes "Operation of Two Incinerators in Mapo for 9 Years Until Incinerator Facility Closure"

Mapo-gu Criticizes Simultaneous Operation of Existing Incinerator and Construction of New Facility from 2026 to 2035 as Planned by Seoul City

On the 1st, Mapo-gu held an emergency countermeasure meeting to respond to the site selection of the Seoul Metropolitan Resource Recovery Facility.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) held an emergency countermeasure meeting on the morning of the 1st, chaired by Mayor Park Gang-su, titled ‘Emergency Countermeasure Meeting on Seoul City's Metropolitan Resource Recovery Facility Site Selection Response Plan,’ demanding a full withdrawal of Seoul City's decision to build a new metropolitan resource recovery facility (waste incineration plant) in Sangam-dong.

Seoul City explains the construction of the new waste incineration plant from the perspective of ‘not creating a new incineration plant but eliminating the existing facility.’

However, Mayor Park emphasized once again the inconvenience and damage to residents and the local area caused by the construction of the incineration plant, stating, “Important and serious aspects of Seoul City's announcement have been overlooked.”

The city announced that it would close the current incineration plant in Sangam-dong by 2035 and establish a new underground incineration plant on the site by 2026.

According to the city's plan, the existing incineration plant will operate for several years while the construction of the new incineration facility proceeds simultaneously in Mapo-gu. Moreover, this means that two incineration plants will be operating in Mapo-gu for about nine years.

Regarding this, Mayor Park said, “Not only will the existing incineration plant operate simultaneously with the construction of the new facility, but if two incineration plants operate for about nine years until the existing facility is closed after completion, residents will be exposed to risks such as harmful substance emissions from incineration, traffic accident risks due to large truck entries and exits, dust, noise, and traffic congestion.” He added, “It is obvious that the area and residents will suffer great damage and confusion, yet Seoul City is overlooking these serious issues.”

The district is also forming a legal support team within the Task Force opposing the installation of the currently operating metropolitan resource recovery facility. Additionally, it plans to promote related procedures to ensure local residents' participation in verifying the accuracy and transparency of the automatic measurement devices for harmful substances at the currently operating incineration plant.

Mayor Park emphasized once again regarding this matter, “Ultimately, the residents' opinions are the most important, and we will actively respond by respecting and reflecting the opinions of the district residents,” urging that all Mapo-gu residents unite in response regardless of political affiliation.

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