Sejong, December 07 - The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) held a session to share the outcome of environmental deregulation on November 28. Environment Minister Han Wha-jin, affiliated organizations, and major environmental committees, including the Central Environmental Policy Committee and the Public-Private Environmental Policy Commission, attended the session to discuss the progress and future directions of environmental deregulation. 

The briefing was held to review the current progress of the "Environmental Regulation Innovation Plan" presented during the 1st Regulation Innovation Strategy Meeting held on August 26 and to find directions for improvement, with the attendees presenting, assessing, and debating on major performances. Hwang Gye-yeong, Director General of the Resources Circulation Bureau, gave a presentation on the "Chemical Safety System Reformation Plan" as one of the best practices. The Director-General introduced reformation plans for the chemicals differential regulation plan and hazard data production, delivery, and use, which have been discussed through the Civil-Industry-Government Chemical Safety Policy Forum since May last year. Kim Jong-ryul, Director General of the Nature Conservation Bureau, gave a presentation on the "Natural Environment Conservation Regulation Innovation Progress and Plan." He developed renovation plans for environmental impact assessment, including improving small-scale evaluation (forest camping sites: Total area → developed area) and strengthened communicative organization. He also presented the accomplishments of deregulation,  such as the temporary use of camping sites in national parks during peak seasons in summer. Ahn Se-chang, Director General of the Climate Change and International Cooperation Bureau, presented the "Improvement Plan for the Emissions Trading System." His ideas included bigger incentives for carbon neutrality, more efficient administrative procedures, and long-term plans for GHG reduction. Jo Hee-song, Administrator of the Han River Environmental Office, introduced the best practice of "Easing the Regulations on industrial complexes in Paju and Payeong" due to the use of existing data, continuous communication, and balanced environmental impact assessment. Park Bong-gyun, President of the National Institute of Chemical Safety, gave a presentation on "Tailored Facilities Standards for Semiconductor Manufacturing" and the successful case of harmful substances handling facilities announcement and revision, which made significant changes in the impracticalities experienced in the fields. 

Following the presentations, Lee Byeong-wook, Chairperson of the Central Environmental Policy Commission, Kim Mi-hwa, Co-chairperson of the Public-Private Environmental Policy Commission, Jo Hong-sik, Chairperson of the Self-evaluation Committee, and Kwon O-sang, member of the Self-regulation Evaluation Committee, attended an expert debate to discuss plans to enhance the quality of environmental regulations and provide better environments for our citizens.

Han Wha-jin, Minister of Environment, said, "The Ministry of Environment will continue to improve the quality of environmental regulations to provide better environments for our citizens. We will do so by sharing information and discussing our direction of innovations with experts and stakeholders worldwide."

Contact: Na Wook-jong, Deputy Director

Planning and Budget Division / +82-(0)44-201-7582

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr