Anseong farmers demand termination of SK Hynix wastewater agreement

Agricultural cooperative leaders in Anseong have issued a joint statement demanding the immediate termination of a 2021 win-win agreement that allows SK Hynix's Yongin semiconductor cluster to discharge wastewater directly into the Gosam Reservoir.

Representing approximately 30,000 members across 15 local cooperatives, the leaders expressed concerns regarding water quality degradation in the reservoir, which supplies irrigation to roughly 3,000 hectares of farmland. They also highlighted the risk of steam fog caused by high-temperature wastewater, which could reduce sunlight and damage crop growth. The cooperatives are calling for a bypass route for the wastewater rather than direct discharge, noting that Samsung Electronics' nearby semiconductor complex has a bypass plan in place.

Additionally, the leaders raised objections to the proposed LNG combined heat and power plant and high-voltage transmission lines. They argued that while Yongin reaps the economic benefits of the semiconductor cluster, Anseong bears the environmental burdens. They have requested a full re-examination of the power plant and transmission plans, as well as measures to address potential air pollution and health impacts in border areas.