In Search of the Green City of Korea

“Find the Green City to represent Korea.”

The government established a new plan to select a local government that best preserves nature, promotes a pleasant environment, and develops it into an international environmental city.

The Ministry of Environment recently announced on May 18 that it will hold its first “Environment-friendly Government (Green City) Contest.”

The Green City Contest will be held by the Ministry of Environment and co-hosted by the Korean Environmental Economics Association, Green Korea United, Korean Council for Local Agenda 21, Donga Ilbo, and the SBS Broadcast Company. The contest will be held biannually.

The Jeju Island government (all other provincial governments are exempted) and any local governments that wish to enter the contest may apply until July 16 at a nearby provincial government office.

The Green City Council, consisting of experts from various fields of society, will select two or three green cities in each group of city, gun, and gu.

The local council that received the highest score will be awarded with a president’s recognition and will be selected as the “environmental capital” of Korea.

The council appointed as the Green City will be introduced in various governmental press releases as a successful case of environment preservation.

The Ministry of Environment said, “The goal of this contest is to raise awareness to the importance of a clean environment and change the local governments into more nature-friendly administrations,” and added, “The selected Green City will receive various incentive including government support and international publicity.”

Jong-Hoon Lee taylor55@donga.com