Suncheon City Ranks First Nationwide in "Sustainable Development ESG Assessment"

A Leading City in Environment, Social, and Governance Excellence

Exterior view of Suncheon City Hall.

Suncheon City in South Jeolla Province announced on October 31 that it has been ranked first nationwide in the "2025 Local Government Sustainable Development ESG Assessment" conducted by the ESG Happy Economy Research Institute.

This assessment comprehensively analyzed 106 detailed indicators related to environment, social, and governance for 17 metropolitan governments and 226 basic local governments across the country. The results objectively diagnosed the level of sustainable development and administrative capacity of local governments.

The ESG Happy Economy Research Institute first introduced the sustainable development ESG assessment in 2021 to objectively evaluate the level of sustainable development in local governments and to strengthen region-specific administrative capacity based on environment, social, and governance (ESG). This year marks the third assessment, following those in 2021 and 2023.

To implement ESG-oriented administration, Suncheon City has: ▲ In the environmental sector, become the first basic local government in Korea to join the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), fostered the green bioindustry, introduced an AI-based recycling sorting system, and operated a carbon neutrality point system; ▲ In the social sector, operated the first Dalbit Children's Hospital in South Jeolla Province, realized welfare care using AI, established an intelligent emergency medical system (AI Ambulance), launched a climate citizen school, developed animation cultural content, and promoted the space and aviation future growth industry; ▲ In the governance sector, operated the Carbon Neutral Green Growth Committee and implemented a participatory budgeting system for citizens.

A city official stated, "This assessment is highly meaningful as it objectively recognizes our efforts to implement sustainable development policies through innovative administration and citizen engagement," and added, "In line with the government's national agenda, Suncheon City will continue to pursue meticulous and substantial ESG administration through environmental conservation, social inclusion, and transparent governance befitting an ecological capital. We will thoroughly prepare to achieve sustainable urban development that citizens can experience anytime and anywhere."