[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Sangjin] Young Poong Seokpo Smelting Plant, which recently received a 60-day shutdown for wastewater discharge violations, is now facing an additional 10-day shutdown. The plant has been found to have turned off the alarm function of sulfur gas detectors, which were installed to prevent leaks.

According to the Daegu Regional Environmental Agency, an inspection on the 6th revealed that the plant failed to meet integrated permit conditions. In 2022, the Ministry of Environment had granted the plant a permit with conditions to ensure sulfur gas detectors (11 units) were always operational for early leak detection and effective response.

However, during a check on the 4th, it was found that the plant had disabled the alarm switches on seven detectors, and one of the units had a malfunctioning display. The Daegu Environmental Agency has referred the case to the Ministry of Environment, which will decide whether to impose the 10-day shutdown after hearing the company's explanation.

Previously, in 2019, the plant was caught illegally discharging wastewater, resulting in a two-month shutdown. Despite Young Poong's appeal, the administrative lawsuit was rejected by both the first and second courts, and the Supreme Court recently upheld the penalty.

 

 

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