Mapo-gu is poised to establish a new incineration plant, yet its construction faces severe obstacles due to rising opposition from local residents. The incinerator is crucially needed to manage the city’s waste as the ban on direct landfilling looms in 2026, with a pressing requirement for facilities capable of incinerating 800 tons a day.
news/cms/202411/24/news-p.v1.20241124.2ba303f758554a4e8590d666e759fe5c_R.jpg" data-width="658" data-height="464" /> 사진 확대 A bird’s eye view of a new wide-area resource recovery facility that the Seoul Metropolitan Government is planning to build in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu. [Photo provided = Seoul City]
Despite the pressing need, the construction of additional incinerators in Mapo-gu, mandated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is enmeshed in complications. With direct landfilling of household waste set to be banned by 2026, the need for a new incinerator is more critical than ever. However, local residents’ objections, fueled by the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) mentality, alongside the reluctance of politicians to support the plan, have hindered its progress. There are fears that if the situation persists, the area could plunge into a “garbage chaos” in the coming years.
Following the backlash, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon took to Facebook to express his outrage, stating, “Rep. Chung Chung-rae radically slashed the entire construction budget by colluding with the environmental labor committee members of the Democratic Party.” He further admonished the political maneuvering that jeopardizes resource recovery, claiming, “At a moment when landfills in the Seoul metropolitan area are nearing their limits, is it appropriate for a National Assembly member to obstruct the establishment of necessary resource recovery facilities?” He critiqued politicians for behaving like “alley politicians” instead of focusing on national responsibilities.
Mayor Oh lamented the current political climate, noting, “The actions of these politicians illustrate a disheartening reality of our political landscape,” and emphasized that “the budget is fundamental to effective state management and future investments. Leveraging it for local advantages is a misuse of political power.”
In a retort, lawmaker Chung Chung-rae articulated strong opposition, stating, “The proposed Mapo garbage incinerator construction, which local residents vehemently contest, should be entirely scrapped.” He challenged the mayor’s motives, questioning, “Is it appropriate for the mayor of Seoul to implement plans in defiance of resident opposition? Isn’t this a form of administrative manipulation?”
news/cms/202411/24/news-p.v1.20241124.1939b29326344c1aa5aad6e9180cbe85_R.png" data-width="361" data-height="658" /> 사진 확대
Current regulations ban the direct landfilling of household waste in the Seoul metropolitan area as of 2026, placing additional strain on waste management strategies.
In 2022, Seoul generated 3,052 tons of household waste, of which 2,202 tons, or approximately 70%, were incinerated, while the remaining 850 tons were landfill-buried. The prohibition of direct landfilling beginning in 2026 means that the volume earmarked for incineration will surge beyond the existing capacity of 2,202 tons. However, the aging infrastructure of four currently operating incinerators in downtown Seoul—Mapo, Nowon, Yangcheon, and Gangnam—averaging over 23 years of use and suffering diminished operational efficiency poses a significant challenge.
Thus, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is urgently striving to construct a new resource recovery facility capable of incinerating 1,000 tons daily. This necessity is what drives the ongoing plans for the Mapo Garbage Incineration Plant.
In light of the vigorous opposition from Mapo-gu residents, the Seoul Metropolitan Government intends to implement underground facilities like waste storage and cleaning vehicle access, alongside introducing state-of-the-art pollution prevention technologies and verified automated systems. Moreover, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is set to develop surrounding parks and waterfront areas, pledging a budget of 100 billion won for community-friendly amenities in Sangam-dong, including a proposal for a landmark “Seoul Ring,” the world’s largest Ferris wheel, in Sky Park.
Nonetheless, local resistance remains formidable. Residents have initiated an administrative lawsuit, arguing that the proposed incinerator endangers their health and breaches procedural norms in the selection committee’s formation pursuant to the “Act on Promotion of Installation of Waste Treatment Facilities and Support for Surrounding Areas.”
As the construction of the Mapo-gu incinerator stagnates under the weight of NIMBY sentiments, political populism casts a long shadow over the project’s progress, predicting continued disruption for businesses and waste management solutions in the area.
Experts emphasize the national necessity for these “hate facilities,” advocating for substantial compensation to local residents to address community concerns. They further assert that incinerators should be viewed as projects of local communal and civil engagement, urging residents to engage in dialogue and seek compromises rather than resorting to outright opposition.
There are calls for collaborative efforts between public and private sectors to overhaul Seoul’s metropolitan resource recovery facilities.
According to Hwang In-chang, a researcher from the Seoul Institute’s Climate Change Research Institute, “Seoul’s wide-area resource recovery facilities are currently facing capacity shortages, and the city’s financial situation will likely deteriorate. Therefore, it’s crucial to modernize these facilities through public-private partnerships.”
What strategies do you propose to enhance community engagement and trust in local waste management initiatives, particularly in light of strong public opposition?
**Interview with Urban Environmental Policy Expert, Dr. Ji-Soo Kim**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Kim. The proposed incineration plant in Mapo-gu has sparked considerable debate. Could you first explain why this facility is deemed necessary?
**Dr. Kim:** Absolutely. The need for this incineration plant arises from the imminent ban on direct landfilling of household waste set for 2026. In 2022, Seoul generated over 3,052 tons of waste daily, with around 70% of that waste currently being incinerated. The city is facing a capacity crisis—our existing incinerators cannot keep up with the expected increase in waste due to the landfill ban, necessitating the new facility.
**Interviewer:** Given public opposition and political pushback, what are the key concerns raised by local residents?
**Dr. Kim:** The primary concern among residents seems to be the NIMBY mentality—many are worried about potential health risks and environmental impacts associated with having an incinerator in their neighborhood. Furthermore, there’s a general mistrust towards government plans, especially when previous projects may not have aligned with community needs or preferences. This has fostered a strong local opposition.
**Interviewer:** How have local politicians responded to this issue, particularly in light of the tension between Mayor Oh Se-hoon and lawmaker Chung Chung-rae?
**Dr. Kim:** The political landscape is quite polarized. Mayor Oh has been vocal in advocating for the construction, emphasizing the urgency due to limited landfill capacity and criticizing politicians who obstruct the process. On the other hand, Chung argues that the plan disregards resident concerns, suggesting that political maneuvering is at play. This conflict illustrates a broader challenge in balancing urgent civic needs with public sentiment and local governance.
**Interviewer:** What potential solutions exist to address both the waste management crisis and the residents’ concerns?
**Dr. Kim:** One promising approach is enhancing community engagement throughout the planning stages. Implementing environmental safeguards, such as advanced pollution control technologies and infrastructure that minimizes potential impacts, could also help. Additionally, developing parks and green spaces around the facility could create shared benefits for the community, transforming not just the waste management aspect but also enhancing local quality of life.
**Interviewer:** what do you foresee happening if these tensions remain unresolved?
**Dr. Kim:** If the current situation persists, we risk escalating tensions that could lead to a waste management crisis, as landfills near capacity and incinerator capacity fails to meet the demand. This situation could lead to what residents fear most—garbage chaos. Finding a pathway to compromise is essential for sustainable waste management and community harmony moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Kim, for your insights on this complex issue. It’s clear that addressing it requires both effective policy and community collaboration.
**Dr. Kim:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important discussion that needs ongoing attention.
