Seminar on 'Soil Contamination Regulations and Corporate Strategies'

On July 17, Lee & Ko held a seminar titled "Recent Developments in Soil Contamination Regulations and Corporate Strategies." The event opened with welcome remarks by Mr. Yoon Seop Lee, Senior Advisor at Lee & Ko and former Director General of Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Environment.

Mr. Young Soo Shin, Director at the Ministry of Environment, presented proposed amendments to the Soil Environment Conservation Act, including stricter penalties for non-compliance with remediation orders and a shift toward risk-based assessments.

Ms. Min-joo Choi, Executive Director at Dong Myung Ent. Co., Ltd., shared practical insights on soil remediation, highlighting off-site treatment trends and recommending active use of soil environment assessments prior to land transactions.

Attorney Sangmin Kim of Lee & Ko reviewed recent court rulings, emphasizing that companies may be held liable for remediation costs even without formal administrative orders, and advised seeking expert input, especially in cases involving natural contamination.

The seminar concluded with a panel discussion and Q&A session. Lee & Ko encouraged companies to stay informed of regulatory changes and manage soil contamination risks proactively.