Catholic bishops in South Korea have expressed solidarity with environmental groups who are seeking closure of one of the country’s largest zinc smelters accused of polluting the environment.
Nov 27, 2021
A view of Young Poong Zinc Smelter, one of South Korea’s largest zinc smelters, which is under fire from environmental groups for polluting the environment. (Photo: Young Poong Group website)
SEOUL: Catholic bishops in South Korea have expressed solidarity with environmental groups who are seeking closure of one of the country’s largest zinc smelters accused of polluting the environment.
A delegation of Catholic bishops led by the national bishops’ conference’s Environmental Committee visited the site of Young Poong Seokpo Smelter in Bonghwa-gun of Gyeongsangbuk-do province in the eastern part of the country.
The prelates included Archbishop Hyginus Hee-joong Kim of Gwangju Archdiocese, Bishop John Chrisostom Hyeok-ju Kwon of Andong Diocese and Auxiliary Bishop John Bosco Shin-Ho Chang of Daegu Archdiocese.
The team visited the factory site and surrounding areas, including the nearby Nakdong river and hillside.
Catholic Times of Korea reported that the bishops were shocked to learn that there is no trace of life in Nakdong river due to toxic chemicals flowing in from the factory. Trees on surrounding hills were either dead or yellowish with dead branches because of the toxic gas emission from the factory.
Lee Sang-sik, head of Life and Environment Coalition in Andong Diocese, briefed delegation members on the disastrous impact of the factory on the environment and Nakdong river.
Following the approximately 40-minute visit, the bishops held a meeting and announced that the operation of the smelter should be stopped as soon as possible.
However, they also called on the authorities to address the challenge of potential job loss of workers and their families in case of closure and relocation of the factory.
Archbishop Hee-joong Kim said that it remains a matter of debate whether the factory should be relocated as the “same problem will arise again.” — ucanews. com
