Globalization of Boryeong Mud Festival and ESG-Based Administration Draw Attention
Boryeong Emerges as a Leading Carbon Neutral City
On July 16, Boryeong City in South Chungcheong Province announced that Mayor Kim Dongil received the "2025 Korea's Top CEO Award" at the "2025 Korea's Top CEO Awards" ceremony hosted by Chosun Ilbo, held at the Grand Ballroom of The Plaza Hotel in Seoul.
This awards ceremony selects heads of organizations and companies who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and contributed to the development of their local communities in various fields. The evaluation focused on urban management achievements and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) implementation cases.
Mayor Kim Dongil was recognized for remarkable achievements in the globalization of the Boryeong Mud Festival, expansion of tourism infrastructure, and the establishment of a sustainable city brand.
The Boryeong Mud Festival has grown into an experiential global festival that attracts tourists from around the world. Through the commercialization of mud products and the expansion of related content, the festival has revitalized the entire local tourism industry. Related industries such as transportation and accommodation have also grown alongside, creating positive ripple effects for the local economy.
Mayor Kim has been credited with transforming Boryeong City into a future-oriented, sustainable city by implementing policies that integrate ESG values across all aspects of city management.
To operate eco-friendly festivals, since last year, all stages and booths have adopted eco-friendly materials, and the use of single-use plastics has been reduced by 87%, resulting in an annual reduction of approximately 320 tons of carbon emissions.
In addition, Boryeong is leading the transition from a coal-fired power-centered energy industry to one focused on renewable energy such as hydrogen, wind, and solar power. This is regarded as a core strategy of the "Boryeong-style Carbon Neutral City Model."
Mayor Kim stated, "This award is an achievement made possible by all the citizens of Boryeong," and added, "We will continue to strengthen our city brand through ESG-based innovative administration and grow into a global tourist destination that attracts worldwide attention."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
