Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police to Crackdown on Illegal Environmental Engineering Contractors

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police will conduct intensive crackdowns on unregistered environmental engineering contractors from July 13 to 31. This action comes in response to concerns that unregistered environmental engineering contractors have been receiving subcontracts at lower rates, leading to continued instances of poor construction practices.

The crackdown targets approximately 600 environmental pollutant-emitting facilities in the province that obtained permits since January last year.
The main areas of focus for enforcement are ▲illegal construction practices by unregistered environmental engineering contractors ▲name lending to unregistered environmental engineering contractors ▲bulk subcontracting of environmental engineering work received as contracts. In particular, environmental engineering contractors who knowingly prepared licensing and permit documents for unregistered companies will face strong measures including prosecution.

According to the 'Environmental Technology Industry Act,' to register as an environmental engineering contractor, companies must continuously employ at least four technical personnel such as environmental technology engineers and technicians.
When an unregistered company constructs environmental pollution prevention facilities, the penalty is imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won. Environmental engineering contractors who lend their names to unregistered construction companies or engage in bulk subcontracting of their contracted work may face business registration cancellation or a six-month suspension of operations.

In-chik Kwon, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police, stated, "This crackdown is intended to eliminate illegal construction practices for environmental pollution prevention facilities by unregistered environmental engineering contractors that have been overlooked in enforcement gaps," and added, "We will take a strong stance in cracking down on illegal activities to ensure fair competitive contracting and create a pleasant living environment for residents."