[vol.4] Women are changing, the world is shifting_Environment lady Lee Yeon-rhee
WORKING WOMAN 2008. 1. 30. 18:30(She took initiative in a struggle against building a waste-burning facilities)
Oct, 26th, 1992, 150 neighbors in Samjung dong, Puchun City, gathered at the Center of the Village. It was a sign of resolution that they have to do something on power plant construction. A dangerous and harmful waste-burning facilities as well as power plant will be constructed in that village, therefore their struggle has been lasted for more than one year.
Lee Yeon-rhee, 48 year-old lady who was elected as a chairman of the 'Counter Activities Council against the Construction of Waste Burning Facilities' lost her parents during the Korean War. Since then, she had to survive through hard living. Owing to her diligence and saving, she could buy a house after she got married.
She entered the Pico company to earn more money. However, the company owner ran away to the U.S. without paying wages for the workers. So she joined in the labor union leadership and kept on her struggle against the unjust treatment to the workers. At the time of almost ending Pico struggle. Samjung dong issue was raised.
Although there have been lots of disturbing things, finally the people could get a detai1 information about the power plant. More shocking facts are; huge waste burning facilities will be constructed near the on going power plant. And cargo parking lot and factory apartment will be constructed, too.
Moreover, dioxide will come out from the waste burning facilities. It is very fatal harm to human. However, there is no prevented measures suggested.
Since the people knew the facts, they elected a chairman and sent a petition to many groups opposing the construction of waste burning facilities.
In fact, Puchun City have carried out the construction of waste burning facilities on the basis of the fact that Puchun citizens dump their waste 1 ,750 ton (2.5kg per one person), a day. But, the actual amount of waste is 75O ton (1 .2kg per one person)s day, and has been getting decreased in rea1.
Lee Yeon-rhee realized that recycling waste is more important than burning waste in order to make green environment. And she had a strong belief of; construction costs for the waste burning facilities can be used for the construction of recycling waste factory.
Apri1, 1993, through the church environments institutes, she had an opportunity to visit around the Japanese waste burning facilities. It was introduced by a human rights organization in Japan. She could have an idea on how waste is recycled. After visitation, she presented useful cases to many people. At last, the construction of waste burning facilities was stopped for the time being.
Puchun City organized an open forum inviting experts on environment. Sep. 17th 1993, the people organized a demonstration in front of city ha11, however about 50 people including Lee were arrested by the police. Many people visited her in a jai1 in order to give her a hope. She was very sorry to her daughter not to take care of her. Her husband didn't visit her even once, because he opposed to her activities since she joined in the Pico struggle.
When she was released from the jai1, it was Nov. 30th, the day of her daughter's entrance examination for university. After release from the jai1, she found the construction of waste burning facilities has been confirmed, but she didn't just sit down. She found the 'Green Village Committee' on March 5th, 1994 with her neighbors who joined in the struggle.
After a result of struggle, the committee could have a welfare center, where there are swimming p001, recycling waste facilities, day care center, study room, wedding hall, conference room and sports facilities. And the committee is preparing for a public hearing on evaluation of environment influence and for inspection of the waste burning facilities.