Mayor Lee Sangil: "Strengthening ESG Administration to Enhance City Competitiveness"
Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, announced on December 10 that it received the Grand Prize in the Local Government ESG category at the 3rd Korea ESG Awards ceremony, which was held at the main auditorium of the National Assembly Library on the same day.
Lee Sangil, Mayor of Yongin (right), is receiving the Grand Prize in the Local Government ESG category at the 3rd Korea ESG Awards held at the National Assembly Library on the 10th. Provided by Yongin City
This award is a leading honor in the ESG field, organized by the Korea ESG Society. It comprehensively evaluates the environmental, social, and governance-related achievements of local governments, public institutions, and private companies nationwide to select outstanding organizations.
The city was recognized as a local government that achieved balanced results across all areas of environment, society, and governance, earning it the Grand Prize.
In the environmental sector, Yongin City received high marks for its systematic efforts to reduce carbon emissions, including the establishment of 177 detailed tasks across 13 areas to achieve "2050 carbon neutrality."
Based on 2018 levels, the city aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions-6.32 million tons-by 40% by 2050. To this end, it is implementing reduction measures across all sectors, including buildings, transportation, waste, and industry. The city is also accelerating the expansion of eco-friendly transportation infrastructure, such as supplying more than 18,000 electric vehicles and 733 hydrogen vehicles.
Through an agreement with Everland, the city has reduced the use of disposable cups by more than 80% and is leading efforts to promote carbon neutrality in daily life by restricting the use of disposables in government offices. Since taking office in July 2022, Mayor Lee Sangil has led by example, such as unplugging half of the light bulbs in his office to reduce carbon emissions.
In the social sector, the city was praised for policies that enhance citizens' quality of life, such as strengthening customized welfare policies for each stage of life and establishing an artificial intelligence (AI)-based care system.
The city has expanded welfare support for seniors, youth, and women; established 66 smart senior centers; and enhanced digital care services such as the AI Silver Care "Sooni" and AI companion services. Efforts to expand safety, education, and cultural infrastructure for children and adolescents, as well as the creation of 6,190 jobs for seniors, also received high marks for realizing social value.
In the governance sector, the city was recognized for transparent and efficient administrative innovation, including an 85% fulfillment rate of Mayor Lee Sangil's 8th-term pledges, the establishment of a conflict diagnosis system, reaccreditation of the Citizen Happiness Civil Service Office (2025-2028), and saving 26.51 million won annually through the introduction of mobile electronic notifications.
Mayor Lee stated, "I am proud that Yongin City's ESG-related policies, which aim for carbon neutrality and a circular economy, have been recognized," adding, "We will continue to keep ESG in mind when developing and implementing policies to enhance the city's future competitiveness."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
