Sangju City Holds 'Saemaul Love Scrap Metal Collection' for Unattended Household and Workplace Scrap

Achieving Carbon Neutrality! Collected Items Become Resources, Discarded Items Become Waste
A Model Case of Practicing the Saemaeul Spirit
Diligence, Frugality, and Cooperation

The Sangju City Saemaul Association in North Gyeongsang Province held the '2026 Saemaul Love Scrap Metal Collection Competition' around the Bukcheon Riverside Parking Lot from February 25 to 27, 2026, successfully collecting more than 800 tons of scrap metal.

This event was organized to recycle scrap metal left unattended at homes and workplaces, transform it into industrial resources, and raise public awareness about resource conservation. Despite challenging circumstances, Saemaul leaders mobilized more than 900 vehicles during the event and participated through dedicated volunteer efforts, covering fuel and labor costs themselves without receiving any compensation, further enhancing the significance of the event.

The '2026 Saemaul Love Scrap Metal Collection Competition' was held around Bukcheon Riverside Parking Lot / Provided by Sangju City Hall

In particular, leaders and residents worked together to collect discarded agricultural equipment and steel structures that had been left in riverbeds and farmland, which had previously marred the landscape and caused environmental pollution in rural areas. This cooperative effort was met with an enthusiastic response from citizens and became a heartwarming story within the local community.

The funds raised through this competition will be used for community return projects such as helping neighbors in need. This initiative is being recognized as a model example of putting the Saemaul spirit of diligence, thrift, and cooperation into practice.

Lee Jeonghee, President of the Sangju City Saemaul Association, expressed gratitude, saying, "Thanks to the active participation and cooperation of all citizens, we were able to achieve meaningful results that contribute to carbon neutrality, the creation of a resource-circulating society, and the revitalization of the local economy."

Kang Youngseok, Mayor of Sangju, stated, "I deeply appreciate the dedicated volunteer efforts of the Saemaul Association, the Saemaul leaders, and the voluntary participation of our citizens. I hope we can continue to work together to build a sustainable environment and a better Sangju based on the values of diligence, thrift, and cooperation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.