The decision by Gangwon Province to grant a temporary permit to a spring water development company has sparked intense protests. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
WONJU, Jan. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — Despite opposition to a new bottled water factory, the decision by Gangwon Province to grant a temporary permit to a spring water development company has sparked intense protests from residents of Sillim-myeon in Wonju, Jucheon-myeon and Mureungdowon-myeon in Yeongwol, and Songhak-myeon in North Chungcheong Province.
The Kolmar BNH Bottled Water Factory Opposition Committee, comprising residents from these four areas, held a press conference at the Wonju City Hall briefing room on January 15.
They demanded that the bottled water factory voluntarily relinquish its temporary permit, and that Gangwon Province also withdraw the permit after considering the opinions of residents.
They further stated, “Unless Kolmar voluntarily surrenders its permit, we will refuse any negotiation or compromise. We do not recognize Kolmar’s ineffective environmental impact assessment or deliberation, and we will respond legally.”
The Kolmar BNH Bottled Water Factory Opposition Committee, comprising residents from these four areas, held a press conference at the Wonju City Hall briefing room on January 15. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Additionally, they requested the rapid installation of real-time water level monitoring devices at over 400 drinking and agricultural wells within an 8 km radius of the water source, affecting villages in Sillim-myeon, Jucheon-myeon, Mureungdowon-myeon, and Omi-ri in Songhak-myeon.
Residents noted that “if the bottled water factory is established, it could lead to astronomical losses, including water shortages for drinking and agriculture, stream pollution, shutdown of local tourism, paralysis of the local market, and a drop in land prices, as many rely on simple water supply systems.”
They emphasized, “We will fight resolutely until the bottled water development, which threatens our lives and livelihoods, is voluntarily withdrawn.”
Kolmar Korea applied for a temporary permit from Gangwon Province on October 16 last year to build a bottled water factory near Songgye-ri in Hwangdun, Sillim-myeon, Wonju. Gangwon Province issued the permit on December 21, stating there were no grounds to deny it.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
