Gyeonggi-do Conducts 'Coastal Cleanup Activities' at Gungpyeong Port on International Coastal Cleanup Day

Gyeonggi Province marked the 'International Coastal Cleanup Day' by conducting coastal cleanup activities along the shores of Gungpyeong Port in Hwaseong City on the 24th, along with a marine environment protection campaign to create a clean Gyeonggi Sea.

Gyeonggi Province marked the 'International Coastal Cleanup Day' on the 24th by conducting coastal cleanup activities and a marine environment protection campaign at Gungpyeong Port in Hwaseong City to create a clean Gyeonggi Sea.

International Coastal Cleanup Day is designated as the third Saturday of September each year under the sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It is the world's largest marine environmental conservation event, with over 500,000 participants from more than 100 countries. South Korea has been hosting the event under government leadership since 2014.

About 170 participants attended the cleanup activities, including representatives from Gyeonggi Province, the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, Hwaseong City, the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, Pyeongtaek Coast Guard, Gyeonggi Fisheries Cooperative, public institutions participating in the Gyeonggi Sea Together 海 initiative, and local fishermen.

The attendees collected marine debris left on the coast due to monsoons and typhoons, general waste including plastics discarded by tourists, and abandoned fishing nets generated from fishing activities. They also conducted a marine environment protection campaign by distributing reusable shopping bags to residents and tourists visiting the Gungpyeong Port direct sales market.

Kim Bong-hyun, Director of the Marine Fisheries Division of Gyeonggi Province, said, "The cleanup activities held in collaboration with various related organizations on the 24th International Coastal Cleanup Day hold great significance in providing a clean Gyeonggi Sea for residents and a bountiful Gyeonggi Sea for fishermen. We will continue to strive for ongoing cleanup efforts and the development of diverse marine environment conservation projects."

Meanwhile, to create a clean Gyeonggi Sea, Gyeonggi Province implemented six projects last year, including marine debris cleanup initiatives, collecting and processing over 2,000 tons of marine waste.