‘Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong-gun’ … Preparing for a Better Environment and Future

Announcement of the 2023 Environmental Sector Action Plan

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, has set the direction for county administration in the environmental sector for 2023 as “A Safe Environment, Realization of Clean Water Welfare” and announced detailed implementation plans.

Fine Dust Traffic Light.

This is to support the green transition of society as a whole in response to climate change and to create a region prepared for the future with a cleaner and more pleasant environment.

First, to maintain and preserve the pristine natural ecosystem, 6.4 billion KRW will be invested in projects to prevent damage caused by wildlife and to prevent the spread of diseases. Additionally, the Jilgogae Ecological Passage project, which connects ecological corridors severed by local roads, will be implemented annually over three years to enhance biodiversity and reduce roadkill.

Next, a basic plan will be established to lay the foundation for full-scale carbon neutrality implementation. Relevant departments will closely cooperate to discover carbon reduction projects. To reduce fine dust as part of climate change response, approximately 3.3 billion KRW will be invested in improving air quality and protecting residents' health through the promotion of electric vehicle distribution and charging infrastructure construction, early retirement compensation for old diesel vehicles, installation of emission reduction devices, and subsidies for construction machinery engine replacement.

Furthermore, to help vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children who have difficulty using information devices (internet and smartphones) easily access fine dust information, two fine dust traffic lights displaying real-time local air quality information will be installed, along with one smart air shower device capable of blocking ultrafine dust and viruses at a facility used by fine dust vulnerable groups.

For the disposal of old slate roofing, 900 million KRW will be invested to safely handle slate used in buildings and abandoned slate, expanding environmental services so that residents can feel environmental safety in their daily lives.

To stably process household waste generated by residents, a budget of 2.2 billion KRW will be used to minimize waste accumulation through timely processing at public and private entrusted facilities and to prevent environmental pollution.

In particular, to promote the collection of agricultural waste and recyclables generated on farms and improve disposal sites, 230 million KRW will be invested to establish joint collection centers and recycling neighborhood yards. The recycling exchange program for items such as paper packs and used batteries will be actively promoted to create a clean environment, prevent resource waste, and contribute to achieving carbon neutrality.

To supply residents with clean and clear tap water, the county plans to continuously promote local water supply facility expansion projects including “Cheongsong Water Supply Facility Expansion Project (total project cost 39.8 billion KRW), Andeok (Hyeonseo) and Bunam Water Supply Facility Expansion Project (total project cost 25.3 billion KRW),” and maintenance projects such as “Cheongsong-gun Local Water Supply Modernization Project (project cost 28 billion KRW).”

Especially in the first half of this year, the Cheongsong Water Supply Facility Expansion Project will be completed to supply clean tap water to 880 households and 1,792 people currently without local water supply. The Andeok (Hyeonseo) and Bunam Water Supply Facility Expansion Project will commence, aiming to supply local water to 670 households and 1,208 people in the respective areas by 2024.

With secured budgets for new 2023 projects such as the Local Water Supply Emergency Supply Network Construction Project (14.3 billion KRW) and the Old Water Supply Maintenance Project (20 billion KRW), it is expected to gain momentum in fulfilling the 8th-term county governor’s pledge of “Cheongsong-gun Local Water Supply Modernization and Supply Area Expansion.”

The county anticipates that upon completion of these projects, the local water supply coverage rate will improve from 77.3% to 86.1%, greatly contributing to improving residents’ living conditions and public hygiene. Since these complex and proven effective projects can be expanded and promoted throughout Cheongsong-gun, higher synergy effects are expected.

Lastly, the county will actively work on improving residents’ living environments through the expansion of sewage treatment facilities and sewer pipe maintenance projects.

Cheongsong-gun plans to invest a total of 27.5 billion KRW in small-scale untreated sewage treatment areas in Sacheon-myeon Singi-ri, Andeok-myeon Sinseong-ri, and Juwangsan-myeon Sangpyeong-ri and Jiri-ri. After consultation with the Ministry of Environment on funding, design is being finalized, and construction of three sewage treatment plants, 17.5 km of sewer pipes, and drainage facilities for 444 households will be actively promoted, with completion scheduled by the end of 2024.

In Andeok-myeon, sewer pipe maintenance projects are underway in the Gam-eun-ri and Seongjae-ri areas with a total project cost of 8.1 billion KRW, and the old sewer pipe maintenance project in Sejang-ri, Jinbo-myeon is expected to be completed in May this year.

The county plans to improve public water quality and create a pleasant and clean local environment through these sewage treatment facility expansions and sewer pipe maintenance projects. To accommodate tourists visiting “Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong-gun,” public restroom improvement projects will be continuously promoted to maintain clean restrooms befitting the county’s pristine image.

Air Pollution Monitoring System.

Governor Yoon Kyung-hee stated, “We plan to create a safe and pleasant environment that residents can trust through multifaceted environmental projects and proper waste disposal,” adding, “By supplying clean water and actively treating sewage, we will realize the best water welfare and improve quality of life to make ‘Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong-gun’ a place where people want to stay.”