Sejong, June 08 - On June 3, the Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Wha-jin) held a commemorative ceremony for the 27th Environment Day (June 5) on Nodeulseom Island of the Hangang River. Minister Han Wha-jin, Congresswoman Lim Lee-ja, and Mayor Sung Jang-hyeon of Yongsan-gu attended the ceremony.

Marking its 50th anniversary this year, World Environment Day was established by the United Nations at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment held on June 5, 1972. It has served as a platform for raising global awareness on environmental issues. South Korea has also been holding a government-level commemorative ceremony every year since 1996. 

The theme for this year's World Environment Day is "Only One Earth," which was also the theme for the conference in 1972, meaning to revive the same enlightenment 50 years ago. The Ministry of Environment presented its core theme during the ceremony: Every citizen should work together to protect the environment for a sustainable future and a healthy planet in harmony with nature.

The Korea National Park Service, Korea Environmental Preservation Association, and other affiliates of the Ministry of Environment held various side events, including AR and VR experiences for fine dust reduction. There was also a photo exhibition to show global warming by Kim Wan-su, a polar region traveler.

In addition, the Ministry of Environment did public relations activities to raise awareness of environmental protection. The Ministry held the "participation to protect the Earth" event from May 20 to June 12 to encourage the citizens of more environmentally friendly actions in their daily lives. Those who post images of pledging and sharing ways to protect the Earth on Instagram will have a chance to win a small prize. 

A special event began on June 1 to boost green consumption. When consumers buy green products using a Green Card from affiliated department stores, convenience stores, and large markets, they will get 20% EcoMoney points, 14% to 18% higher than usual. Ten thousand EcoMoney points will also be rewarded if the total Green Card amount exceeds KRW 100,000 for June. Online green stores will hold exclusive events for World Environment Day where consumers can get a discount or a gift for purchasing a green product.

Meanwhile, local governments and organizations nationwide hold ceremonies and side events such as training programs, environment-themed painting contests, and cleanup activities. The Jeonbuk Office of Environment will fully open the Saemangeum Environmental Ecological Complex starting June 5. The complex, situated in Jangsin-ri, Buan-gun of the Jeollabuk-do Province, was built in 2021 as a green space within Saemangeum Embankment and comprised wetlands, bird watching stations, a wetland observatory, and a place for ecological education. On June 3, the Gyeongsangnam-do province held a "bicycle parade (round-trip 12 km)," where a bicycle loaded a portable environmental exhibition booth. They also ran twenty environmental exhibition booths that offer different experiences such as DIY upcycling of daily supplies, recycling, and more.

Minister Han Wha-jin stated, "This year's ceremony for Environment Day will allow us to look back at our planet's crisis as the consequence of human actions for the past 50 years and deliberate on a sustainable future for humanity and nature. I would like to urge everyone to live in a more environmentally conscious way for a healthy Earth by saving energy and reducing disposable products."

Contact: Oh Soo-mi, Deputy Director

Environmental Education Team / +82-(0)44-201-6532