This study analyzed the effects of pre-collection of residents'' opinions regarding environmental damage caused by indiscreet construction of livestock pens in the rural area and implementing pre-notification system of administrative policy as a process of realizing the residents'' right-to-know. The study analyzed reasons and details of residents'' opposition to construction of livestock pens, which is expected to be naturally accepted in rural areas.
The rural area of today is going through phases of various changes due to informatization and farming technology development. With the increase in number of aged population, farming is changing from the originally self-sufficient, small-sized farming to high-quality, mass production farming based on acquisition of mechanization and specialization. Amidst such process of change in rural life, examples of damage such as loss of property, health issues, and damage to town reputation has led to the phenomena of opposition against construction of livestock pens.
So far, the only administrative procedure for public disclosure responding to information closure and insufficient realization of the residents'' right-to-know, which are the largest problems regarding location of NIMBY facilities, have been public hearings. Although the NIMBY facilities built until now were constructed after going through procedures such as urban management plan for locating urban plan facilities, collection of residents'' opinion and approval of the Assembly, residents have still opposed the introduction of these facilities. However, over the course of holding public hearings regarding construction of livestock pens a large amount of money, time and procedural expenses are caused. Due to absence of methods for residents to participate in administration regarding administrative procedure during the process of gaining consent and approval related to construction of livestock pens, residents have had no other way but to depend on the disposition of the intendance. Nonetheless, even if the disposition fulfills legal standards, conflicts continued post the disposition, leading to intensification of the conflict between residents and intendance. Thus, Gimcheon City began to investigate the causes of the prolonged and continued opposition by the residents against the construction of livestock pens. The residents at first grew interested in what type of facilities are being introduced to the area they live in. Also, they are concerned what changes may be incurred by the facilities to the surrounding environment. The anxiety triggered by such concerns were expressed as a phenomena of conflict.
The final examination which this study aimed for was that the residents’ opposition were not derived from lack of knowledge or egoistic reasons but from empirical perception regarding environmental pollution damage of their hometown.The introduction of pre-notification system of administration policies as an administrative means to protect the rural area and home have an institutional significance in that it enables residents to express their opinions. Also, through the pre-notification system of administration policies carried out to prevent environmental pollution, residents displayed active expression of opinion. While the system was implemented for a short period of time, significant meaning can be found through the fact that the residents themselves of a certain town announced their own plans for environmental management and gradual reduction of livestock-related facilities.
There have been various causes of conflict found through studies on conflicts with residents regarding NIMBY facilities. However, bylooking into the issue of residents’
opposition against construction of livestock pens through pre-notification system of administrative policies enabled pre-examination of the rural area environment and enabled for the residents to deliberate on their surrounding environment through voluntary autonomous regulation. Collecting of various opinions through pre-notification system of administrative policies would need to be perceived as a starting point for the improvement of livestock production facilities.
The significance of the implementation of the system, although conducted over a short period of time, have been sufficiently demonstrated in that it can realize the
residents’right-to-know. Indeed further empirical analysis will need to be complemented in discerning the cause of conflict with residents regarding livestock pens in rural areas as well as other various NIMBY facilities. Last, collection of residents’opinions and realization of their right-to-know would need to be expanded through continuous implementation of the system. Also, the rural area will need to seek for advanced conflict solving methods through liaison with administrative and legislative institutions to enable settlement of the system and solution of conflicts regarding such facilities.