The Gyeongnam Special Judicial Police announced today (July 9) that they have uncovered 32 cases of violations of the Waste Management Act across 16 locations following a special investigation into illegal waste disposal.

Over a six-week period from May 20 to June 30, the special police, in cooperation with local municipal governments, identified 32 violations at 16 business sites. These included 16 cases of transporting waste to unauthorized locations, 14 cases of operating unlicensed waste disposal businesses, and 2 cases of operating illegal wastewater discharge facilities.

Among them, Company A installed screens in a remote mountainous area to pile up approximately 100 tons of mixed waste, including synthetic resin, waste wood, and food waste.

Company B left about 80 tons of mixed waste, such as discarded fishing nets, waste vinyl, and waste bags, abandoned at its factory.

Company C even operated an illegal wastewater discharge facility to recycle synthetic resin and metal waste without authorization.

The Waste Management Act stipulates penalties of up to 50 million won in fines or up to 5 years in prison for unlicensed waste disposal activities, and up to 20 million won in fines or up to 2 years in prison for transporting and storing waste in unauthorized locations.

(Photo: Yonhap News)