Minister Sued Over Alleged Neglect of Smelter Pollution

A South Korean civic group has filed a complaint against Kim Seong-hwan, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, accusing him of dereliction of duty. The complaint, lodged with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), alleges that the minister has failed to implement necessary follow-up measures concerning heavy metal contamination identified in sediment along the upper reaches of the Nakdong River and near the Andong Dam.

The environmental group, the "Committee for Environmental Pollution and Residents' Health Around Yeongpung Smelter," stated that despite the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (formerly the Ministry of Environment) confirming contamination from substances like cadmium in sediment samples over four years ago, no subsequent actions have been taken. A 2020 study commissioned by the ministry had investigated the sources of pollution, including lead, zinc, and cadmium isotopes, in the river and dam sediment.

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Despite the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment confirming heavy metal contamination, including cadmium, in sediment along the upper reaches of the Nakdong River and near Andong Dam, it has failed to implement follow-up measures for over four years.

The study's findings indicated that the contamination originated from the Yeongpung Smelter in Seokpo. The contribution of cadmium from the smelter was estimated to be between 77% and 95.2% in sediment near the smelter, 67% to 89.8% in a section about 40km downstream, and 57% to 64% in the surface sediment of Andong Lake. At the time, the government had declared the sediment pollution level as "very bad" and pledged to strengthen management measures.

However, the civic group asserts that since the government announced the investigation results in 2022, no follow-up actions such as orders for sediment cleanup, cost recovery from polluters, restoration of the original state, or compensation claims have been initiated. The group argues that this constitutes a conscious neglect and abandonment of the ministry's legal obligations, urging the CIO to conduct a thorough investigation.

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This constitutes dereliction of duty, involving the conscious neglect and abandonment of statutory obligations. We urge the CIO to conduct a thorough investigation.