Yongin City "No Mine Development Near Residential Areas and Schools in Jukjeon-dong"

Mayor Sang-il Lee's Letter to Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy
Reaffirming Previous Position Ahead of Mining Adjustment Committee Meeting

Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province has reaffirmed its opposition to the installation of a quarry in the Jukjeon-dong area of Suji-gu. Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin personally sent a letter of opposition to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to convey his stance.

According to Yongin City on the 2nd, the mayor sent a letter containing this message to Minister Ahn Deok-geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the same day.

A letter from Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin City, expressing opposition to the installation of a quarry in Jukjeon-dong, sent to Andeok-geun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. Provided by Yongin City

The quarry controversy arose when a private company, Company A, pushed for the establishment of mining rights to install a quarry on the steep slope area of Jukjeondo-san 26-3. At that time, the city expressed a 'disapproval' opinion during the public interest consultation process, citing that the area is included in the Paldang Watershed Water Quality Conservation Special Measures Area and is surrounded by large residential clusters and educational facilities. The city also stated that the planned mining site is a forest area requiring preservation and that the steep slope exceeds the development activity slope standards.

However, Company A appealed to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s Mining Adjustment Committee against the city’s opposition and the disapproval decision by Gyeonggi Province, which holds the mining permit authority. Regarding the appeal, the committee postponed its decision once and plans to reconsider the agenda within this month.

The mayor reaffirmed the existing position in the letter, stating, "If the mine development is permitted, there are concerns about damage to the local natural environment, residential environment, and infringement on students' right to learn." He emphasized, "The area around Daejisan near the project site was the birthplace of the citizens' 'Save Daejisan Movement' in the late 1990s, which opposed reckless development."

He also added, "This area includes the Catholic Park Cemetery where the late Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan and many clergy rest in peace, various educational facilities including Dankook University, and a large residential area with over 200,000 residents. If mining development proceeds, the public interest will inevitably suffer significant infringement, which is the judgment of the mayor representing the citizens of Yongin."

The mayor particularly expressed, "It is also puzzling that the Mining Adjustment Committee decided to 'postpone the decision' on Company A’s appeal, citing that it is difficult to objectively evaluate whether it serves the public interest."

Accordingly, the city plans to submit reasons for disallowing development activities to the committee together with Gyeonggi Province. The city’s position is that even if the committee accepts Company A’s claim, it will block development activities for mining purposes based on individual laws such as the 'National Land Planning and Utilization Act' and related ordinances.

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