The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on the 30th that the extension of the utilization agreement for the Mapo Resource Recovery Facility (incineration plant) with the remaining four autonomous districts, excluding Mapo District, was "a legitimate process."
On this day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held a brief briefing regarding the extension of the joint use agreement for the Mapo Resource Recovery Facility at Seoul City Hall and made the announcement.
Previously, the Seoul Metropolitan Government signed a joint use modification agreement for the Mapo Resource Recovery Facility with four autonomous districts: Jung-gu, Jongno-gu, Yongsan-gu, and Seodaemun-gu. This agreement allows these autonomous districts to use the facility until "the closure of the facility." The existing agreement expired as of the end of May this year, having been in place since 1997, and this extension was made.
However, Mapo District opposes the extension of this agreement. They argue that such an agreement was made excluding Mapo District, where the facility is located. In response, Mapo District claimed it was "like signing a lease agreement between tenants while excluding the landlord."
In response, Kwon Min, the Deputy Minister of the Seoul Climate and Environment Headquarters, said on this day that "the Mapo Resource Recovery Facility is like a house with five rooms, with each autonomous district using one room." This implies that the Seoul Metropolitan Government is the landlord, and Mapo District is the tenant.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government stated that the agreement made with the four autonomous districts considered fairness with other facilities. It said that other facilities in Seoul, such as Yangcheon, Nowon, and Gangnam Resource Recovery Facilities, already stipulate, "the joint use remains effective until the closure of the facility."
Additionally, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said it has been diligently and legally promoting consultations on joint use with the five autonomous districts, including Mapo District.
Deputy Minister Kwon noted, "On April 10, we initiated discussions regarding joint use of the Mapo facility with the responsible Director of Mapo District and sent a total of five official documents requesting consultations, while also personally visiting Mapo District Office four times to diligently complete the necessary procedures for discussions with Mapo District officials."
The Seoul Metropolitan Government also stated that the extension agreement for the joint use of the Mapo Resource Recovery Facility is a "consultation" matter, not an agreement, according to related ordinances. Deputy Minister Kwon said, "According to the Supreme Court ruling, the meaning of 'consultation' is to seek related advice," adding, "It does not mean to act according to opinions."