South Korean authorities showed interest in carrying out a feasibility study for the closure of Cerro Patacón and the operation of a new facility, this during the meeting of the National Cleaning Operation Center (CON Aseo), which included a visit of technicians from the Ministry of the Environment, the Vice Minister of the Presidency, Carlos García, the Cleaning Authority of South Korea, as well as the ambassador of that country, Jeong Jinkyu, who analyzed the problem of Cerro Patacón.
Ambassador Jeong Jinkyu pointed out that the problem facing Panama in this regard is quite complex and they would offer all their experience in waste management to help solve it.
He explained that, in a previous meeting with the delegation of technicians from his country, which has been in Panama since Monday, it was concluded that Cerro Patacón does not have the necessary bases for a more comprehensive and advanced development and the idea is create a new fill.
The Korean ambassador highlighted that they would collaborate with a feasibility study that would include the closure of Cerro Patacón, how a new facility would be developed, the management of gases that are produced, how the methane vision would be maintained, and how the parameters of financial resources would be defined. and recycling.
Jeong Jinkyu reported that the Prime Minister of Korea will visit Panama and meet with President Cortizo Cohen, so this health problem could be discussed within the framework of that meeting.
For his part, Vice Minister García pointed out that it is the correct route and that within the solution that had been studied at the government level is the decision not to continue the landfill where it is because it would be making the same mistakes again.
If there is some rapprochement between the two countries, a bilateral agreement could be originated for the development of the study.
South Korea is one of the world leaders in waste management and recycling with modern and technological mechanisms.
García stressed that it is necessary to act in two directions, mitigate what currently exists to continue providing the operation for a reasonable time, while advancing in the construction of a long-term permanent solution.
The Vice Minister of the Presidency thanked the Korean authorities for their interest in finding a solution to this problem and indicated that they will coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find the best way to address the issue and that it could be through a bilateral channel.
The governor, Carla García; the Minister of the Environment, Milciades Concepción; and other authorities.
