
As a result of an analysis of data received from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment by a member of the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee of the National Assembly, only 40 of the 200 places subject to the obligation to install buffer storage facilities to prevent the outflow of chemical polluted water have completed the installation as of August this year, 109 have not yet started construction, and 40 have not even established a basic plan.
AI-generated summary
Buffer storage facilities have been installed in industrial complexes across the country since 2015 to prevent the outflow of contaminated water into rivers following the hydrofluoric acid spill that occurred in Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do in 2012.
It was found that buffer storage facilities that prevent contaminated water mixed with chemicals from flowing into rivers when a fire or explosion occurs in an industrial complex were rarely installed, even when required by law.
According to the results of an analysis of data submitted by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment on the 1st by a member of the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee (Democratic Party of Korea, Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province), only 40 of the 200 places required to install buffer storage facilities as of August this year had completed installation.
The installation of buffer storage facilities has been expanding nationwide since 2015, following the example of preventing the spread of pollutants into the Nakdong River during the 2012 hydrofluoric acid spill in Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
Installation was completed in 27 of the 163 locations required for installation in 2021, but the number of installations completed increased by only 13 as of August this year.
Among the 160 places that have not yet been installed, 109 have not even broken ground yet, 69 of these have only established basic plans, and 40 have not even established basic plans.
In Gyeonggi Province, which has the most installation obligations, none of the 32 locations have been completed, and in South Chungcheong Province, only one location out of 26 has been completed.
Daegu (8 out of 9 places) and Gyeongbuk (15 out of 22 places) in the Nakdong River system had high installation rates.
Rep. Eogyu said, “If an accident occurs at an industrial complex and contaminated water flows into the river, drinking water and the ecosystem are threatened, so buffer storage facilities are the minimum safety measure to prevent the spread of damage.” He added, “The installation deadline should be clear and support and management should be strengthened so that legally mandated facilities are not delayed for a long time.”
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Discussions on clarifying the deadline for installing buffer storage facilities and strengthening support will continue in the National Assembly.
Possible · Within months

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