The number of environmental disputes has increased threefold during the past year, according to the National Environment Dispute Settlement Commission.  Until October 2 this year, 313 disputes have been filed, almost three times more than last year's 108.

Among 313 disputes filed, 184 cases were resolved, 12 cases withdrawn, 2 had the arbitration process stopped, 3 cases rejected, and 165 cases are still in pending.

Out of the 184 resolved, 155 cases, or 84 percent, involved noise pollution and vibrations. 21 cases, or 11 percent, involved air pollution, followed by water pollution with four cases, or 2 percent.

By nature of damage, psychological damage constituted 69 percent of the total figure, increasing from the last ten years' average of 47 percent. In contrast, damage done to buildings or fisheries decreased from 9 to 2 percent and 9 to 1 percent respectively.  

By Location of Dispute Occurrence, the Seoul metropolitan area is the place with the most number of disputes with 49%, although it is decreased from 63% in 2000, and 54% in 2001.  29% and 11% of cases occurred in Chungcheong and Yeongnam province respectively.

Due to increased numbers of environmental dispute, the average number of cases an official handled also rose incrementally from three in 2000 to last year's six, to 12 this year.  If this trend continues, more than 400 disputes are expected by the end of the year, rising to 600 next year.  This might cause sluggish resolve of cases.  

The Commission expects the National Assembly to pass the proposed revision of the Environmental Dispute Settlement Act.  If the revised act is approved by the Assembly, disputes involving 10 or less people, or 100 million won or less would be delegated to dispute settlement bodies within each civil government, which would reduce time and costs.