Dobong District Eliminates Illegal Dumping with CCTV and Dedicated Enforcement Team

In Dobong District in Seoul, illegal dumping of household waste in secluded areas is gradually disappearing. High-performance closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras continuously monitor blind spots where illegal dumping used to occur, and a dedicated enforcement team even opens trash bags to track down their owners, ensuring a thorough response. Other local governments struggling with "ownerless garbage" are now benchmarking Dobong District’s administrative efforts as a model for eradicating illegal dumping.
According to Dobong District on the 16th, there have been no cases of illegal dumping at the 10 locations where CCTVs are installed and operated. Last year, several local governments, including Cheongju City, visited to learn how Dobong District runs its CCTV control center for illegal dumping.
At present, a total of 82 high-performance CCTVs targeting illegal dumping are covering blind spots across Dobong District. Illegal dumping has been completely eliminated at 10 monitored locations, and 22 other sites have shown clear improvement.
The CCTV footage is continuously checked by professional monitoring staff. Two professional monitoring officers stationed in the Dobong District control center monitor illegal dumping in real time, achieving not only post-violation detection but also improvements in public awareness and crime prevention.
Areas that CCTVs cannot cover are filled in by a tight on-the-ground enforcement network. A dedicated enforcement team made up of six fixed-term public officials with extensive field experience conducts intensive inspections at night, the time period most vulnerable to illegal dumping.
Routine enforcement is also carried out by pooling the capabilities of 51 environmental officers. By adding enforcement support and surveillance functions to the core duties of mobile units and street crews, the district has built a multi-layered enforcement network that covers the entire urban area.
In particular, through so-called "bag-opening inspections," officers open illegally dumped trash bags, check their contents, and track down the owners to educate and warn them. A district official explained, "This raises residents’ awareness and helps prevent illegal dumping."
When illegal dumping is intentional or habitual, the district plans to respond with strong administrative sanctions. Even on private property, if trash dumping causes environmental pollution or inconvenience to residents, the district imposes administrative measures. By making it clear that property owners are responsible for management, the district issues an "order to maintain cleanliness" to encourage voluntary clean-up. If trash is left unattended and continues to cause suffering for neighbors, the district enforces strict administrative sanctions, including fines.
Oh Un-seok, Mayor of Dobong District, said, "By integrating our monitoring and enforcement systems and operating a dedicated team, we are effectively eliminating illegal dumping. We will continue proactive on-site management and administrative measures to create clean streets that residents can truly feel."
chlee1@fnnews.com Reporter Lee Chang-hoon Reporter