Yangpyeong Governor Jeon Jinseon: "30-Year Extension for Landfill... Special Compensation for Special Sacrifice"

Resource Circulation Center to Operate Until 2057
Four Years of Negotiations with Residents' Support Council
Nine Projects in Six Areas, Including Resource Circulation Park and Jipyeong Development
Governor Pledges: "We Will Responsibly Implement All Agreements Despite Some Opposition"

Jeon Jinseon, the Governor of Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, officially announced an extension of the operation period for the Yangpyeong Resource Circulation Center landfill in Muwang-ri, Jipyeong-myeon, by 30 years, lasting until the end of 2057. In accordance with the principle of "special compensation for special sacrifice," nine cooperative development projects—including the creation of a resource circulation park and advancement initiatives for Jipyeong-myeon—will be promoted in the area surrounding the landfill.

Yangpyeong County Governor Jin-Seon Jeon held a press conference on the 2nd to officially announce the extension of the operation period of the Yangpyeong Resource Circulation Center landfill in Muwang-ri, Jipyeong-myeon, until the end of 2057, extending it by 30 years. Photo by Jonggu Lee

At a press conference on September 2, Governor Jeon stated, "Household waste management is the most fundamental administrative service directly linked to the daily lives of county residents," and added, "To ensure stable waste processing and foster coexistence with the local community, we have reached an agreement with the Residents’ Support Council to extend the landfill operation period."

The operation period for the Yangpyeong Resource Circulation Center landfill, initially set to expire in December 2027, will be extended until December 2057 under this agreement. Established in February 1997 on land parcel San 91-1, Muwang-ri, Jipyeong-myeon, the facility spans 67,800 square meters, with a landfill capacity of 553,028 cubic meters.

The county had initially anticipated that landfill operations would conclude at the end of 2027, the 30th year of its use. However, due to changes in waste policy—such as the establishment of a volume-based waste fee system, increased recycling, and restrictions on direct landfill disposal of combustible waste—the amount of waste being landfilled has decreased. The expansion of municipal solid waste incineration at the Eastern Regional Integrated Resource Recovery Facility has also created additional operational capacity for the existing landfill.

Governor Jeon commented, "Securing land and garnering local consent for a new replacement landfill would take a long time and require a vast budget. Making efficient use of current resources and facilities is a realistic choice for the benefit of all residents."

Since 2024, Yangpyeong County has collected public opinion from residents and followed procedures outlined in relevant laws. On July 29, the county finalized nine projects in six categories—reflecting community demands—as a condition for agreement, and on August 25 reached consensus with the Residents’ Support Council regarding the extension. The county then announced, as an administrative notice on August 27, its decision to designate and adjust affected surrounding areas, and on the day of the press conference, signed the regional partnership agreement.

According to the agreement, the county will establish a resource circulation park including a park golf course. Development projects for Jipyeong-myeon will include the construction of a new district office, city gas supply, extension of the Gyeongui-Jungang rail line, and revitalization of Jipyeong market.

The Resource Circulation Center will be equipped with resource recovery facilities, and improvements will be made to the access roads and leachate treatment plant. Additionally, a new recycling center will be built to shift the focus of waste management from traditional landfilling to recycling and resource recovery.

The Resident Support Fund will be adjusted every five years to reflect inflation. Small-scale support projects for residents will receive funding at the same level as the main Resident Support Fund.

Governor Jeon stated, "We will not take lightly the inconvenience and sacrifice local residents have endured for many years near the landfill," and emphasized, "The projects outlined in the agreement will not be mere declarations but will be implemented responsibly so that residents can truly experience the improvements."

Yangpyeong County Governor Jin Sun Jeon held a press conference on the 2nd to officially announce the extension of the operation period of the Yangpyeong Resource Circulation Center landfill site in Muwang-ri, Jipyeong-myeon, until the end of 2057, extending it by 30 years. Photo by Jonggu Lee

Some local residents expressed opposition at the press conference, claiming that the process of explanation and obtaining consent for the extension was insufficient. They also called for the release of materials related to public briefings and the negotiation process.

In response, Governor Jeon stated that the matter had been explained continuously through meetings with the Residents’ Support Council and regular communication. However, recognizing lingering concerns among residents, he pledged to provide further explanations and maintain open channels of communication.

Governor Jeon emphasized, "This decision must not become a source of conflict among residents," and added, "Beyond simply supporting or opposing the extension, we should use this as an opportunity to transform the Resource Circulation Center into an environmentally friendly facility and advance the development of Jipyeong-myeon."

Going forward, Yangpyeong County plans to detail concrete support measures for residents and establish a timetable for implementing cooperative projects, proceeding with follow-up steps to ensure that the extension of the landfill’s operation period leads to stable waste management and regional development.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.