Hynix Expansion Issue Sparks Icheon Citizens’ Protest

Local government officials and citizens of Icheon City and Gyeonggi Province are protesting against the government’s decision not to allow Hynix Semiconductor to expand its plant in Icheon.

Gyeonggi Province will form an emergency committee and start a petition drive to attract the signatures of 10 million provincial residents. Icheon citizens will also manifest their dissent by refusing to follow the regulations of total water pollution for the Paldang water source.

About 4,000 Icheon citizens gathered in front of the Gwacheon Government Complex at 12:00 p.m. on January 26 to protest the government’s decision.

Also participating in the protest gathering were about 300 Gyeonggi Province officials and organization representatives, including Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Mun-soo, Icheon Mayor Cho Byeong-don, and GNP lawmaker Lee Gyu-taek.

About 200 people, including Cho and two women city council members, shaved their hair in protest.

Cho said, “Icheon citizens have suffered from the Seoul Metropolitan Area improvement law and all kinds of environmental regulations for 30 years. We will fight using any means available until we see substantial changes such as the abolishment of related double regulations for the metropolitan area.”

Kim argued, “We gathered here to judge the ‘ungrateful’ government for its decision to prohibit the pro-environmental company’s plant expansion. Those who try to ruin Hynix will be judged by the people.”

Icheon Citizen Committee Chief Representative Kwon Hyeok-joon urged the government to allow Hynix’ plant expansion in Icheon, withdraw its policy of national balanced development that weakens national competitive power, and abolish bad laws blighting the metropolitan area.

Participants marched around the ground with five coffins, which symbolize related government agencies, following a three-hour demonstration.

Gyeonggi Province will hold a protest with 3,500 participants at Suwon Stadium on January 29 and start a petition drive to collect 10 million signatures.

The Gyeonggi Province Council is planning to have an emergency meeting on January 26 to urge the government to allow Hynix’ plant expansion. Also, the Eastern Gyeonggi Mayor and Magistrate Association has adopted a resolution to pressure the government for the expansion at Icheon.

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