Mayor Joo Kwangdeok: "Paldang Residents Endured 50 Years of Overlapping Regulations... Reasonable Compensation Needed"

Large-Scale Petition Campaign for Rational Reform
Namyangju and the Special Council Call for Fair Compensation
Highlighting Decades of Sacrifice by Paldang Residents

Namyangju City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Joo Kwangdeok) announced on August 30 that it will launch a large-scale petition campaign, together with the Special Measures Area Water Quality Conservation Policy Council (hereinafter referred to as the Special Council), urging for improvements to water source regulations for three months from September 1 to November 30.

Large-scale petition campaign launched for rational improvement of overlapping regulations in Paldang area (Panoramic view of Paldang water source protection zone). Provided by Namyangju City

This petition campaign, under the slogan "Special sacrifices require special compensation," aims to bring public attention to the decades of sacrifices made by residents of the Paldang water system for the preservation of the Seoul metropolitan area’s water supply. It also seeks to strongly urge the central government to implement rational institutional reforms.

The Special Council is a statutory body established under the Act on Improvement of Water Quality and Support for Residents of the Han River Water System, with the purpose of preserving the water quality of Paldang Lake and improving residents’ quality of life. This petition campaign will be a joint action by residents of seven cities and counties in the Paldang water system, including Namyangju, Gapyeong, Gwangju, Yangpyeong, Yeoju, Yongin, and Icheon.

The collected signatures will be officially submitted by the Special Council to the Office of the President, the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and the Ministry of Environment, among other central government agencies. The city and the Special Council plan to continue their joint efforts through this petition campaign to ensure that the legitimate rights of Paldang residents are protected.

Mayor Joo Kwangdeok emphasized, "For the past 50 years, Namyangju citizens have endured special sacrifices to preserve the metropolitan area’s water source. Now, the government must no longer turn a blind eye to the tears of the residents and should provide reasonable compensation and regulatory improvements."

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