Cities and Counties in Gyeonggi Province 'Issuing Excessive Design Change Permits'

Assemblyman Jo Sung-uk (New Conservative Party, Yongin) of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly's Urban Environment Committee stated on the 9th that cities and counties in the province are excessively issuing design change permits in the architectural approval process.

According to Assemblyman Jo, architectural permits in the province numbered 10,346 in 2010 and 15,860 in 2011, while design changes reached 4,470 in 2010 and 6,076 in 2011—accounting for as much as 38% of permits. He pointed out the need for more thorough administrative guidance and supervisory oversight in future architectural approvals, as this reflects unplanned project initiation by business operators that wastes time and budget.

Meanwhile, the Health, Welfare and Communications Committee (chaired by Ko In-jeong) conducted an administrative audit on the Gyeonggi Province Institute of Health and Environment, demanding measures to address poor management of non-compliant drinking water facilities, lack of expertise in golf course pesticide residue testing, and reinforced agricultural product inspections during kimchi-making season.

Assemblyman Shim Sook-bo (New Conservative Party, Proportional Representative) reported that of 4,231 locations tested for drinking water quality—including groundwater, mineral water springs, and emergency water supplies in the province—19%, or 813 locations, were found non-compliant as drinking water, and called for thorough follow-up management.

Assemblyman Kang Seok-oh (New Conservative Party, Gwangju) then pointed out that during pesticide residue testing of 270 golf courses over the past three years, samples were collected from identical locations and unqualified assistant personnel participated, raising questions about the credibility of test results. He urged comprehensive guidance and inspection to ensure professional and accurate golf course pesticide residue testing.

As kimchi-making season approaches in earnest, calls for thorough food safety inspections have continued. Assemblyman Kim Ho-gyeom (Democratic Party, Suwon) stated, "Asbestos test results over the past three years were within standards, but asbestos was detected at three locations," and demanded that "considering asbestos is a Class 1 carcinogen, full efforts be made to secure dedicated organizations and personnel to handle this."

Assemblyman Ryu Jae-gu (Democratic Party, Bucheon) noted that citizens are more anxious than ever about radiation following Japan's Fukushima nuclear accident, and that radiation has been detected in asphalt and other materials within the province, urging full efforts in management and public communication.

He also demanded effective research from the institute to fulfill its intended functions, noting that the research results of the Health and Environment Institute have seen minimal practical application in provincial policy.

Assemblyman Won Wook-hee (New Conservative Party, Yeoju) pointed out that as of late September, 5 of 194 positions at the Health and Environment Institute were vacant, raising concerns that critical tasks directly linked to residents' health—such as agricultural product residue testing and drinking water quality testing—may be neglected, and called for securing appropriate replacement personnel.