Shutters Closed and Secretly Operating... Gyeongnam Provincial Special Judicial Police Crack Down on 21 Illegal Vehicle Painting Shops

Emission of Harmful Air Pollutants Such as Benzene and Toluene

Inside the work facility of an illegal car painting business uncovered by the Special Judicial Police of Gyeongsangnam-do. [Image source=Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The special judicial police of Gyeongsangnam-do have uncovered 21 illegal car painting businesses and are currently investigating them.

On the 18th, the provincial special judicial police announced that from August 1 to September 30, they conducted a planned crackdown on illegal car painting activities.

The crackdown was carried out jointly with city and county authorities in densely populated areas such as residential and commercial districts to eradicate illegal car painting activities that discharge air pollutants without permission.

According to the special judicial police, cases were mainly detected where closed-circuit television (CCTV) was installed in the heart of urban areas densely populated with houses or commercial facilities, and shutters or doors were completely sealed to carry out illegal painting work.

The businesses set up offices in urban areas to attract many vehicles for exterior restoration, while operating illegal painting workshops in remote areas with few people.

During the day, they performed simple car polishing work, but only conducted illegal painting work at night, when crackdowns were less likely, thereby avoiding detection while continuously releasing harmful substances.

The provincial special judicial police continuously monitored odor emissions around business sites suspected of illegal painting or where complaints had been filed, and conducted stakeouts even at night.

They also tracked vehicles moving to separately established painting workshops nearby and raided violation sites to make arrests.

The special judicial police emphasized, “Volatile organic compounds such as paint and thinner used in illegal painting contain harmful substances like benzene and toluene,” adding, “When released into the atmosphere, they are considered major contributors to air pollution by increasing ozone concentration.”

“If inhaled by people, they can cause respiratory diseases or neurological disorders, and especially with long-term exposure, they may cause cancer,” they explained. “Until now, workers and nearby residents have been directly exposed to these harmful substances, threatening their health.”

According to the special judicial police, operating unregistered air emission facilities in violation of the Atmospheric Environment Conservation Act is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

A provincial special judicial police official analyzed, “Despite the severe penalties, most business owners continue illegal activities because they lack awareness of the connection between harmful substance emissions from illegal painting and threats to residents’ health.”

Kim Eun-nam, head of the provincial Social Disaster Division, said, “Habitual illegal painting activities that threaten residents’ health and pollute the air have not been completely eradicated despite continuous crackdowns,” and urged, “To create a pleasant and livable residential environment, business owners and related industries should voluntarily participate in lawful business operations.”

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