The Ministry of Environment and businesses are joining hands to create a warm Korea for the environmentally and health-vulnerable groups by contributing eco-friendly wallpaper and household goods. 

The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI, President Choi Heung-jin) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 12 at the KEITI (located in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul) with 19 socially responsible companies* and the Community Chest of Korea to improve the indoor environment for the prevention of environmental diseases among vulnerable groups.

* Kang Cheong, Gaenari Wallpaper, Kyungdong Navien, Daraeworld, Lion Korea, Brush World, Samhwa Paints Industrial, Seoul Wallpaper, Sugar Eco, Aekyung Industrial, Eden Bio Wallpaper, LX Hausys, LG H&H, Ecomass, Jaeyoung, Jaehyun Intext, KCC Glass Corporation, Coway, Hyundai L&C 

The Ministry of Environment plans to support approximately 500 households among environmentally and health-vulnerable populations with eco-friendly wallpaper, flooring (floor panels), paint, and atopic dermatitis moisturizers provided by socially responsible companies through this collaboration agreement. Four new companies participating in contributions this year―Kang Cheong, Brush World, Ecomass, and Jaehyun Intex―will be contributing eco-friendly household goods.

Since 2009, the Ministry of Environment has been collaborating with KEITI to implement indoor environment improvement projects aimed at preventing environmental diseases among vulnerable populations such as low-income children and elderly individuals who are easily exposed to environmental hazards. 

This year, officials from indoor environment inspection agencies will visit over 1,500 households to diagnose indoor air quality for seven factors including mold. Based on the diagnosis results, they plan to support indoor environment improvements. 

They continue to collaborate with regional flagship hospitals to provide screening and treatment services for vulnerable populations suffering from environmentally-related diseases such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis. In addition, they sustain a program that supports medical expenses and medication costs for approximately 250 individuals annually.

Furthermore, this year, they plan to actively support companies to contribute socially to the environmental health sector by providing opportunities for employees of contributing companies to volunteer directly in indoor environment improvement projects. 

Vice Minister Lim Sang-jun of the Ministry of Environment stated, “Like John Rawls’ Theory of Justice*, I am grateful to companies that willingly contribute to ensuring that the greatest benefits reach those most in need.”

* John Rawls, an American political philosopher, presented this theory in his 1971  book, referring to the principles of social distribution for the realization of social justice

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com