Ulsan environmental group alleges coal dock pollution, seeks public inspection
In short
The Ulsan Environment Movement Union said at a press conference on 6 October that it had received reports of pollution at the Ulsan Port coal dock, including a claim that water contaminated with coal dust is discharged from a retention pond into the sea, and asked authorities to verify it publicly. The group also said dust covers on coal piles were missing or torn and that waste coke, classified as a class 1 carcinogen, is stored exposed to rain. Nam-gu district officials said inspections found no irregularities and that the contaminated water is settled and reused on site.
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The Ulsan Environment Movement Union said at a press conference at the Nam-gu district office press centre in Ulsan on 6 October that it had received reports of pollution at the Ulsan Port coal dock and called on the authorities to verify them and draw up countermeasures. [ 1 , 2 ]
The group said it received a tip that water in a retention pond, contaminated with coal dust and rubbish, is discharged directly into the sea, and that this needed verification; if such a discharge structure turned out to be real, it would be a very serious problem, the group said. It also said the dock is a security facility and the storage yard sits inside the worksite, making facts hard to confirm, and asked Nam-gu and other agencies to carry out a public inspection with citizens and environmental groups present. [ 1 , 2 ]
According to the group, tip photographs showed that covers meant to prevent coal dust from blowing away were not in place or were mostly torn, and it said waste coke classified as a class 1 carcinogen is unloaded and stored at the site exposed to rain, raising concerns about workers' health and water pollution. It called for stronger pollution-prevention facilities and thorough management, and said that agencies have relied only on the operator's claim that the contaminated water is recycled internally. [ 1 , 2 ]
Nam-gu officials said a joint inspection on 1 October with the Ulsan Port Authority, the Ulsan regional oceans and fisheries office and the coast guard had found nothing unusual, and that they would keep checking for pollution. The district also said it had conducted five site inspections between mid-August and early October without finding irregularities, that it had issued administrative guidance to cover coal piles outside working areas with dust covers, and that the contaminated water is settled in the retention pond and used inside the worksite as water to reduce dust. Officials said they would continue joint supervision and respond firmly to any illegal acts threatening residents' health. [ 1 , 2 ]
The group said it had reviewed the reports carefully for about a month before going public and acknowledged the possibility of misjudgment given limits on information and access. It asked that a public verification be carried out first and that measures to prevent recurrence be prepared for the problems already identified. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The dispute concerns an industrial port area handling coal and waste coke classified as a class 1 carcinogen, so any confirmed discharge would affect water quality, workers and nearby residents. The group's call for an inspection with citizens and environmental groups present puts pressure on district and port authorities to show how they supervise a restricted site that outsiders cannot easily check. The documents do not establish whether the alleged discharge is occurring.
Key facts
- The Ulsan Environment Movement Union held a press conference on 6 October at the Nam-gu district office press centre in Ulsan over alleged pollution at the Ulsan Port coal dock. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The group said it received a tip that water in a retention pond contaminated with coal dust and rubbish is discharged directly into the sea, and called for verification. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The group said dust covers on coal piles were not in place or mostly torn, and that waste coke classified as a class 1 carcinogen is unloaded and stored at the site exposed to rain. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The group asked for a public inspection with citizens and environmental groups present and for measures to prevent recurrence. [ 2 ]
- Nam-gu officials said a joint inspection on 1 October with the Ulsan Port Authority, the Ulsan regional oceans and fisheries office and the coast guard found nothing unusual. [ 1 ]
- The district said it carried out five site inspections from mid-August to early October with no irregularities, and that the contaminated water is settled in the retention pond and reused on site as water for reducing dust. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Ulsan Environment Movement Union held a press conference on 6 October at the Nam-gu district office press centre in Ulsan and raised allegations of pollution at the Ulsan Port coal dock. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The group said it received a tip that coal-contaminated water from a retention pond flows into the sea and asked for verification; it said it could not confirm the situation itself because the dock is a security facility. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The group said waste coke classified as a class 1 carcinogen is handled and stored at the site exposed to rain, raising concerns for workers' health and water pollution. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Nam-gu officials said their inspections found no irregularities and that the contaminated water is reused within the worksite rather than discharged. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether coal-contaminated water from the retention pond is discharged into the sea without treatment. The group's claim is based on a tip and could not be confirmed on site, while Nam-gu officials said the water is settled and reused inside the worksite; no independent verification is reported.
- Whether authorities will hold the public inspection the group requested, with citizens and environmental groups present. The documents report the request but no response from the district office or other agencies.
- The scale and details of the alleged pollution at the coal dock. The group said it had access and information limits and acknowledged the possibility of misjudgment; it described its findings as problems needing further verification.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Nam-gu officials say they carried out five site inspections of the coal dock during this period and found no irregularities. [ 2 ]
- A joint inspection by Nam-gu, the Ulsan Port Authority, the Ulsan regional oceans and fisheries office and the coast guard finds nothing unusual, according to district officials. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap reports the Ulsan Environment Movement Union's press conference at the Nam-gu district office press centre. [ 1 ]
- Newsis reports the same press conference, including the request for a public inspection and the district's response. [ 2 ]