Dongyang Indoor Swimming Pool 'Fecal Terror' Reoccurs, Citizens Outraged

Just 10 days after human feces were discovered at the Dongyang Indoor Swimming Pool in Gyeongbuk, the same incident has occurred again, raising complaints from local residents.

This incident at a public facility, which serves an average of over 1,000 users per day, forced the swimming pool to close temporarily, and there are increasing calls for accountability and punishment of those responsible due to growing concerns over hygiene.

According to statements made by the Dongyang City on the 28th, a report was received around 9 a.m. on the 25th, stating that “a foreign substance similar to human feces was discovered” at the Dongyang Indoor Swimming Pool located in Gahyeong-dong.

Upon checking the site, safety personnel and swimming instructors actually found a substance presumed to be human feces in the pool. In response, the swimming pool management decided to close the facility temporarily for one day at around 3 p.m. that same day and replaced one-third of the pool water while conducting filtration and disinfection operations.

Actual discovery of a substance presumed to be human feces in the swimming pool.

Repeated fecal incidents at the swimming pool raise serious operational and cost concerns.

The seriousness of this incident is underscored by the fact that a similar occurrence took place just 10 days earlier, on the 15th, at around 4:30 p.m.

At that time, a user reported, "There is feces floating," which led to the confirmation that actual feces were found. Initially, the swimming pool management attempted to replace only part of the water, but due to strong objections from patrons, they ultimately had to replace the entire pool water.

Replacing all the water at the Dongyang Indoor Swimming Pool requires about 700 tons of potable water. With the consecutive occurrences of this 'fecal terror,' Dongyang City found itself in a situation where it had to partially or completely replace the pool water three times within 10 days.

The bill for approximately 1,200 tons of potable water is fully covered by the city's budget, ultimately funded by taxpayers.

The swimming pool management suggested extending free lessons as a countermeasure, but user complaints have not subsided easily.

Many users are expressing that they "no longer want to use the swimming pool," demanding a full refund of their fees or strongly insisting that those who fled after defecating be found and held accountable.

As these complaints have surged, Dongyang City and the pool management are struggling to come up with countermeasures. They are particularly conducting legal reviews to see if those responsible can be charged with property damage and obstruction of business.

A representative from Dongyang City stated, "The financial damage from water supply costs and business losses, as well as the loss of trust in the swimming pool, is significant. As the same problem recurs, the residents bear the brunt of the damage, and we are working to track down the perpetrator and establish measures for punishment."

Image source: Dongyang Indoor Swimming Pool / Dongyang City, reference material to help understand the article / gettyimagesbank