SEOUL, KOREA - Samsung Heavy Industries has agreed to pay compensation of up to 360 billion won to the residents of Taean and surrounding areas affected by the oil spill in December 2007.

 

At the time, a crane barge owned by Samsung Heavy being towed by a tug collided with the anchored Hong Kong-registered crude carrier Hebei Spirit, spilling 10,800 tons of oil.

 

The special committee for affected residents from the Hebei Spirit incident in the National Assembly said on November 22 that it succeeded in reaching an agreement among the three sides including assemblymen in the committee, Samsung Heavy, and representatives for the residents. Of the 360 billion won, the committee official said, 290 billion won will be paid up front while 20 billion won would be used for community development projects for the next two years. The 50 billion won has already been disbursed to the residents.

 

The special committee will pass the resolution on the 28th in a committee meeting. Congressman Hong Moon-pyo (New Frontier Party), the committee chairman, said, "We could finally seal the controversy surrounding the oil spill that has dragged for six years."