NC Medi's medical waste incineration facility, located near Jeonggwan New Town in Gijang County, will finally be relocated to a non-residential area after years of complaints about odors and harmful substances.
While Gijang County and the company have reached a preliminary agreement on the relocation, specific sites and timelines have yet to be determined. The estimated relocation costs are between 20 billion and 30 billion won, making the acquisition of a new site, resident consent, and swift administrative procedures critical to the project's success.
On August 24, Gijang County signed a memorandum of understanding with NC Medi regarding the relocation of the medical waste incineration facility.
The agreement stipulates that the company will find and secure a site in a non-residential area and bear all associated costs. Gijang County has committed to actively supporting the necessary administrative procedures, contingent on legal compliance and resident approval.
The incineration facility, which has faced strong demands for relocation and closure from residents for over 15 years, is currently situated near densely populated apartment complexes and schools. However, this agreement marks the initial step toward relocation, with specific sites still to be identified.
NC Medi's Chief Executive Officer stated, "While we have been internally reviewing potential relocation sites, we are not at the stage of discussing specific candidates yet. Today’s agreement will allow us to begin the search for a site sufficiently distanced from residential areas."
The exact minimum distance from existing residential areas has not yet been established. An NC Medi representative noted, "The positions of the company, Gijang County, and residents may differ, so there will be aspects that need to be coordinated moving forward. Even if the company believes the site is adequately distanced, residents may feel differently."
Gijang County Mayor Woo Seong-bin also emphasized at a press conference, "Today marks the real beginning. As the company explores various potential sites, we will discuss feasibility with them in the future." He specifically mentioned that relocating the facility outside the county is not realistically feasible, suggesting that moving it to a non-residential area within Gijang County is the most viable option.
NC Medi will bear the full cost of the substantial expenses associated with the relocation.
Chairman Kang Kyung-jin projected that the costs could range from 20 billion to 30 billion won, depending on land acquisition and facility size. The agreement explicitly states that Gijang County will not provide any financial support for the relocation.
Regarding funding plans, the CEO stated, "No company prepares for such a large-scale project without a plan. While I cannot disclose specific funding methods at this time, we are fully prepared internally." Chairman Kang also explained, "If Gijang County plays a supportive role in site selection and administrative procedures, we believe we can absorb the remaining costs."
The timeline for the final relocation has not been confirmed. Mayor Woo stated, "Our top priority is to complete the full relocation within my term," but acknowledged that physical time is needed for land acquisition, design, permits, and facility construction. He provided a realistic roadmap, stating that by the end of his term, they aim to finalize the site selection and relocation decision.
As the agreement does not specify a concrete deadline for completion, the effectiveness of the agreement will depend on how quickly and thoroughly the county and the company can establish an implementation schedule.
Until the new incineration facility is completed, environmental management of the existing site remains a challenge. Gijang County has stated it will enhance environmental management and oversight of the current facility to minimize resident inconvenience until the relocation is complete.
NC Medi also reported that it is managing emissions below regulatory limits through its own measurements and regular inspections by relevant agencies, including the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office. However, they acknowledged understanding residents' concerns and pledged to pay closer attention to management until the relocation is finalized.
Chairman Kang noted, "Our facility has been in operation for 30 years, but the development of Jeonggwan New Town has led to conflicts between existing industrial facilities and residential areas." He added, "Even if the facility is legal, it is not an ideal environment for residents, similar to a dilapidated diesel truck idling next to a children's playground, which has prompted us to consider relocation."
Gijang County hopes this agreement will signal the beginning of resolving the long-standing grievances of Jeonggwan residents.
Mayor Woo stated, "This is a meaningful first step to protect the safety of our residents, and we will work with the company to find a relocation site and actively assist with administrative procedures."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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