Top Among 17 Cities and Provinces... Special Grant of 2 Billion Won
National Land Cleanup Campaign Ahead of APEC Summit
2,231 Participants in Two Months, 48.2 Tons of Waste Collected
Which city demonstrated the 'cleanest' capabilities in the nationwide land cleanup campaign conducted by South Korea this year to mark major international and national events?
The city of Busan announced on the 25th that it had been selected as the top local government among 17 metropolitan and provincial governments in the 'Korea Makeover' evaluation, which was organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. As a result, Busan will receive a special grant of 200 million won for being chosen as the best metropolitan government.
This evaluation was conducted by dividing all 243 local governments nationwide into metropolitan and basic local governments. Busan received the highest evaluation in the metropolitan category. Jeju Special Self-Governing Province was also allocated 200 million won, while Gwangju Metropolitan City, Ulsan Metropolitan City, Sejong Special Self-Governing City, and Gyeonggi Province will each receive 100 million won.
The 'Korea Makeover' campaign was launched after the need for a national land cleanup campaign was discussed at a Cabinet meeting ahead of Chuseok and the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. The campaign was carried out in two phases starting from September 22.
On the campaign's kickoff day, September 22, about 40 members of the Busan Saemaeul Association traveled to Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, to participate in a nationwide waste collection activity. Around Busan Station, approximately 400 members of the Barugesalgi Movement Council carried out cleaning activities, while 400 members of the Korea Freedom Federation Busan Branch promoted the National Sports Festival and cleaned the streets in the busy Seomyeon district. Near the Busan Asiad Main Stadium, where the National Sports Festival opening ceremony was held, 300 members of the Residents' Association participated in environmental maintenance and festival promotion.
Including the campaign period, a total of 2,231 people participated in 47 locations from September 1 for two months, collecting 48.2 tons of waste. In Yeongdo District and Gijang County's coastal areas, marine debris and coastal waste were removed in collaboration with the Korea Maritime Rescue Association.
Waste collected by professional divers was retrieved using the city's marine environment management vessel, with about 20 tons of waste tires and other debris removed. At around 20 tourist sites, including Songjeong Beach and Haeundae Special Tourist Zone Park, 13 tons of waste were collected. In road sections linked to the National Sports Festival, 3 tons of waste were cleared by repairing sunken or cracked paving blocks, removing illegal banners, and weeding.
Busan explained that, in preparation for hosting the National (Disabled) Sports Festival, the 'Korea Makeover' campaign further strengthened the consensus on the need for pre-event environmental maintenance, leading to strong on-site participation and tangible results.
Cho Youngtae, Director of the City’s Administration and Autonomy Bureau, said, "The voluntary participation of public officials, civic groups, and local companies in environmental cleanup efforts led to these results. We will continue to create a consistently clean and pleasant urban environment to welcome the era of 3 million overseas tourists."
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