Construction of Chinese aluminum plant causes public debate in S. Korea

By Lim Chang-won Posted : December 4, 2018, 10:53 Updated : December 4, 2018, 10:53

[Iclickart]


SEOUL -- Henan Mingtai Aluminum Industrial, one of China's biggest aluminum sheet manufacturers, hit an unexpected hurdle in South Korea as some citizens and domestic firms launched a campaign to oppose the construction of a plant in a free economic zone. 

Supported by local government authorities interested in attracting foreign capital, Mingtai Aluminum has been allowed to build a plant in the free economic zone in the southern industrial port city of Gwangyang, home to the second plant of South Korea's top steel company, Posco.

Construction is to begin in January for completion in the second half of next year. However, a public petition, posted by a Gwangyang citizen on South Korea's presidential website on November 22, has opposed the aluminum plant mainly for environmental reasons, which are largely based on unprofessional claims.

In a bid to stop the spread of opposite views, Gwangyang Bay Area Free Economic Zone Authority sponsored a public hearing on Monday, attended by experts, citizens and environmental activists.

Experts sided with the zone's operator who said the Chinese plant would not cause pollution because it has no smelting process that extracts pure aluminum from ore by using fossil fuel. They said electricity and natural gas would be used to roll out foil or plates in Gwangyang.

As of Tuesday morning, the petition drew some 188,000 supporters. The petitioner argued that concerns about pollution are growing among citizens in Gwangyang and nearby areas.

The presidential website for public petitions has become a place for active public debate since President Moon Jae-in, a former human rights lawyer, took office in March last year. Moon has used the website to collect public opinion.
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