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“Strong Crackdown on Illegal Environmental Pollution Activities in Industrial Complexes”… 19 Polluting Businesses Caught for Violations

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it had identified 19 violating businesses following a special investigation into pollutant emission practices at 100 facilities located in industrial complex areas from March through May.

The Special Judicial Police focused inspections on major industrial complex areas, including Saha-gu, Gangseo-gu, Sasang-gu, and Gijang-gun, examining whether emission facilities and pollution prevention facilities were being properly operated and whether the required permits and approvals had been appropriately obtained.

The special investigation was conducted ahead of the summer season, when rising temperatures increase concerns about the spread of pollutants. It was designed to proactively prevent pollution-causing activities in environmentally vulnerable areas such as industrial complexes, protect public health, and create a more pleasant living environment.

A total of 19 businesses were found in violation, including 6 cases involving non-operation of air pollution control facilities, 4 cases involving the installation and operation of unreported air emission facilities, 4 cases involving failure to conduct self-monitoring of air pollutants, 2 cases involving non-compliance with management standards for accident preparedness substances, 1 case involving the operation of an unlicensed waste treatment business (collection and transportation), 1 case involving improper waste disposal, and 1 case involving non-compliance with waste treatment standards.

Six companies, including Company A, were found operating emission facilities without running the required pollution control facilities intended to reduce air pollutants. In addition, four companies, including Company B, were found to have illegally discharged pollutants into the atmosphere by installing and operating emission facilities without reporting their installation to the relevant district office.

Four companies, including Company C, were also found to have failed to conduct regular self-monitoring of air pollutants generated during the operation of air emission facilities, making it impossible to verify whether pollution control equipment was functioning properly.

In particular, the investigation broadly examined the management of hazardous chemicals with a high risk of causing environmental pollution accidents as well as compliance with waste treatment standards, focusing on strengthening overall environmental legal compliance within industrial complex areas.

Busan Metropolitan City plans to refer all 19 businesses identified through the investigation to the prosecution and notify the relevant administrative authorities so that appropriate administrative measures can be imposed.

The city also plans to operate a continuous monitoring system in industrial complex areas where pollutant-emitting facilities are concentrated, ensuring that inspections do not remain one-time efforts and enhancing the prevention and deterrence of illegal activities.

Under applicable laws, operating air emission facilities without running the required pollution control facilities is punishable by imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine of up to KRW 100 million. Installing and operating unreported air emission facilities or failing to conduct self-monitoring of air pollutants is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to KRW 50 million.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “The emission of environmental pollutants, particularly during periods of rising summer temperatures, is a serious issue that threatens the health of our citizens. We will respond firmly to illegal activities within industrial complex areas without exception and continue conducting special investigations to establish a strong culture of environmental law compliance.”

He added, “We will continue to strengthen monitoring and enforcement against environmental pollution activities in order to protect citizens’ right to health and create a pleasant urban environment.”