In response to critics of its new waste disposal policy, Jeju City announced that it would organize a group of citizens to evaluate it. As Mike Laidman now reports, there has been little interest from the public in joining that group, and many are wondering if it will lead to anything at all.



Report

A new waste disposal system was introduced in December, forcing people to only dispose of their garbage and recycling on designated days.

Upon its introduction the new system received a flood of complaints.



The main criticism being levied is that the policy puts all the responsibility of sorting waste squarely on residents.

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Citizens group to evaluate policy fizzles out

In the middle of December 2016, Jeju City announced that it would form a citizen group to evaluate the administration’s trash policy in order to minimize the inconveniences it created for residents.

However, the plan has since fizzled out and lost its purpose.

The city began its search for islanders interested in becoming a part of the group in December, but only a few ever applied and it has yet to be officially organized.

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Only 14 applicants

In the past two months, only 14 people ever applied for the program - fewer than one-third the number hoped.

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Unpaid volunteers, ‘unrealistic plan’

Critics say the failure was expected as the team wouldn’t have been paid for their efforts.

Also, there were no required qualifications to apply, meaning the group would have been neither professional nor effective.

Jeju City has since altered its plan, and the group will be comprised of members recommended by eup, myeon, and dong communities, as well as those who applied themselves.

Despite this, the group still has an uncertain future.

Phone Interview
Jeju City representative
Fourteen people applied and others were recommended by their communities. We haven’t yet received confirmation about whether they will participate.
<전화 인터뷰:제주시청 관계자(음성변조)>
"공모해서 들어온 분들은 14명 되는데 나머지는 지역에서 추천을 받아봤습니다. 그분들 한테는 하실거냐고 확인은 안한 상태입니다."

With no significant development happening with the group, it is losing steam, and, as a result, its purpose.

According to the city’s modified plan, the group’s activities would be limited to simply examining the existing situation.

The group could end up being superficial, with no practical use.

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Kim Seung-cheol

While Jeju City hasn’t even been able to launch a policy evaluation team, Jeju Province, on the other hand, is expected to announce an alternative trash disposal system at the end of the month, giving residents a first-hand look at an uncoordinated administration.

Mike Laidman, KCTV