The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE, Minister Kim Sunghwan) announced that on January 14, it received work briefings from 11 affiliated public institutions in the environmental sector* at the Government Complex Sejong and reviewed their key priority tasks and initiatives.

* Korea Water Resources Corporation, Korea Environment Corporation, Korea National Park Service, Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute, National Institute of Ecology, Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corporation, Korea Environment Conservation Institute, Korea Institute of Hydrological Survey, Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources, Honam National Institute of Biological Resources, and the Korea Water and Wastewater Works Association

The purpose of this work briefing was to assess whether each institution is formulating and implementing effective plans to carry out the new government’s policy agenda and deliver tangible outcomes that the public can experience, as well as whether they are fulfilling their public responsibilities as public institutions.

The work briefing held that day was broadcast live on the Ministry’s YouTube channel to transparently disclose the content of each institution’s reports to the public. 

At the work briefing chaired directly by Minister Kim Sunghwan, the heads of the public institutions, the Vice Minister of the MCEE, and the relevant deputy ministers and directors general held in-depth discussions on advancing environmental policies that the public can tangibly experience.

For the Korea Water Resources Corporation, the Ministry reviewed measures to strengthen responses to water-related disasters such as floods and droughts, plans to advance water treatment plant operations based on artificial intelligence (AI), and plans to develop renewable energy using water resources, including floating solar power. It also called for strengthened cooperation with relevant institutions to prepare for climate disasters through linkage with power generation dams, reservoirs, and estuary barrages, as well as intensive support for nurturing water industry startups. In particular, it urged efforts to enhance the competitiveness of seawater desalination by linking it with renewable energy and developing low-power consumption technologies. 

In addition, it called for thorough advance preparations, including reviewing measures to effectively implement weir opening, in relation to the Algal Bloom Seasonal Management System newly set to be introduced this year.

For the Korea Environment Corporation, the Ministry reviewed measures to manage compliance with the operation of the greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme and the implementation of the mandatory recycled-content use system, as well as plans to enhance the effectiveness of the National Battery Circulation Cluster and other measures to strengthen resource circulation for end-of-life automotive batteries. 

For the Korea National Park Service, the Ministry reviewed plans for full-scale operation and management following the designation of Geumjeongsan Mountain as a national park, measures to strengthen ecological services such as the introduction of a national recreation park system, and the wildfire response system. In particular, it held focused discussions on plans to address illegally occupied facilities within national parks and emphasized the need to fundamentally prevent illegal activities through swift corrective action and strict law enforcement. In addition, it called for efforts to increase visits to national parks by foreign tourists by promoting cooperation with related institutions and developing tailored promotional campaigns and visitor programs.

For the National Institute of Ecology, the Ministry called for more systematic and proactive efforts to make it an international landmark that people from around the world would want to visit, in linkage with surrounding ecological resources such as the Janghang Wetland. For the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute, it reviewed plans to promote carbon-neutral technology development, expand green finance, and foster carbon-neutral industries.

For the Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corporation, the Ministry reviewed the operational framework for landfill facilities following this year’s ban on direct landfilling in the Seoul metropolitan area, as well as plans for community-participatory solar power projects using idle land. It also emphasized the need to promptly expand nationwide the pilot project to reduce greenhouse gas (methane) emissions through the use of simplified incinerators at small-scale local landfill sites.

Along with reviewing each institution’s key priority tasks, the Ministry also strongly called for responsible action as public institutions, including ensuring industrial safety, eradicating corruption, creating jobs, and promoting balanced regional development, as well as management innovation aligned with the public’s expectations.

Minister Kim Sunghwan of the MCEE stated, “Amid the increasingly severe climate crisis, the role of public institutions that implement policies on the ground is crucial to creating an environment that all citizens can enjoy safely and comfortably.” He added, “By bringing together the capabilities of the Ministry and public institutions, we will do our utmost to build a sustainable society where people and nature coexist and to enhance the value of our precious environment.”

He further added, “We will continue to promote ongoing monitoring and improvements so that public institutions can enhance operational efficiency through constant management innovation, deliver tangible results, and further increase public convenience and benefits.”  End.

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

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