"Zero Usage in 12 Years"... A 153 Billion Won White Elephant

[Anchor]

In Yeongjong Sky City, Incheon, there is an automated waste transport system built 12 years ago. Costing a whopping 153 billion won, it reportedly has never been used even once.

Reporter Kim Gyu-ri takes a closer look at what went wrong in Morning Zoom-In.

[Reporter]

This is a roadside in Yeongjong Sky City, Incheon.

After pulling back a dust-covered waterproof tarp, the inlet of a CleanNet waste disposal system is revealed.

Although it was installed a long time ago, it has never been operated once.

The handle of the general waste CleanNet inlet right next to it is covered in spiderwebs, showing just how neglected it has been.

CleanNet, an automated waste collection facility, is a system where waste thrown into an inlet is automatically transported to a collection station through underground pipelines.

When the new town was developed, roughly 780 waste inlets, 4 collection stations, and 70.4 kilometers of underground pipelines were built exclusively in Yeongjong Sky City, Incheon.

However, it has never actually been operated since its completion in 2014.

[Facility Management Official: If water fills up or a breakdown occurs in the CleanNet, we just repair it and handle basic maintenance. Literally. It has not been able to operate here for 14 years now.]

Initially, the CleanNet facility was planned by the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) carried out the construction. However, no decision had been made even by the completion date as to who would actually operate it.

Because it was not an essential facility and due to concerns over maintenance costs, the district office was reluctant to step up, and joint inspections requested by LH about 10 times for the handover were rejected by both the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority and the district office.

After dragging on for 9 years, an agreement signed in 2023 stipulated that the district office would operate it, but this time, LH and the district office have failed to narrow their differences regarding the scope of repair work.

[Chang Jung-gu / External Cooperation Chairperson, Incheon Civil Society Organizations Network: It has remained a white elephant for over 10 years, and it looks like LH, the Economic Zone Authority, and the Yeongjong District Office are trying to pass the buck. We need to clarify who is responsible for this.]

This is a waste disposal area in an apartment complex.

Although CleanNet inlets are installed, signs reading do not use are attached.

Some residents even said they did not know there was a CleanNet in their apartment complex in the first place.

[Resident: There seem to be quite a few if you walk around. I have no idea. I just thought it was something related to electricity.]

Civic groups, including the Incheon Civil Society Organizations Network, are demanding an audit of every stage of the CleanNet project and that those responsible be disciplined.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
Reported by Kim Hangyul | Video by Choi Hye-ran | Design by Taeyoung
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.