Gyeonggi Province to Support Removal of 2,637 Slate-Roofed Buildings This Year to Eliminate Asbestos

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hoon Reporter] Gyeonggi Province will support the demolition and roof improvement of 2,637 houses, warehouses, and livestock facilities this year to remove asbestos, an environmental hazardous substance that causes respiratory diseases.

The province will allocate a total budget of 9.8 billion won, providing up to 3.52 million won per house for demolition costs—an increase from last year—and up to 3 million won for roof improvement costs. For warehouses and livestock facilities, priority will be given to small-scale facilities of 200 square meters or less per building.

For vulnerable populations, the province will cover the full demolition costs and roof improvement costs up to 10 million won.

Building owners (or tenants with the owner's consent) can apply for asbestos slate demolition support projects to the environmental departments of their city, county, or district, or to their town, township, or neighborhood office. After selection, construction companies chosen by the city or county will visit to carry out demolition and roof improvement work.

Over the past 11 years since 2011, the province has provided a total of 42.8 billion won in national and local government funds for slate demolition support projects, demolishing 16,874 buildings, and provided 2.1 billion won to improve the roofs of 535 buildings.

According to a 2021 survey on the status of slate buildings, the province has a total of 47,814 slate structures, and the province plans to continue support until demolition is completed.

Um Jin-seop, head of the Environmental Division at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "We will continue to pursue demolition and roof improvement projects for asbestos slate buildings to protect the health of residents and create a pleasant environment."