The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Wansup) and the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute will hold a commemorative event on December 5 to celebrate ‘World Soil Day’ under the theme “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage” at COEX Magok (located in Gangseo-gu, Seoul).

The United Nations designated December 5 as World Soil Day during its 68th General Assembly in 2013 to raise awareness about the importance of soil and to call for global efforts towards soil conservation. In South Korea, the government has been holding commemorative events since 2015.

This year, marking the 10th commemorative event, over 300 participants from the soil academic community, industry, government agencies, as well as children and adolescents will be in attendance. The event will consist of a commemorative performance, followed by the ceremony and a special lecture.

This commemorative event will be streamed live online on the same day starting at 2 p.m. (YouTube*).

* Search for “Ministry of Environment Newsroom” or “Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute” on YouTube.

During the ceremony, awards will be presented to 10 individuals who have contributed to soil conservation, along with recognition for 16 outstanding children participants from the ‘Soil and Groundwater Children’s Summer Camp’ held in July 2024. 

In addition, author Kwon O-joon, an ecological fairy tale writer, will give a special lecture on the theme “Wisdom Learned from Nature,” engaging in open communication with participants at the level of children. 

On December 6, a discussion forum focusing on the soil and groundwater sectors will be held at the same location. The forum will address such topics as 1) improvement measures for soil and groundwater investigation and purification systems, 2) investigation and evaluation systems for sustainable soil environment management, and 3) designing systems to promote the recycling of purified soil. Public and private sector stakeholders will actively discuss the direction for the development of the soil and groundwater industry and policies.

Lee Seung-hwan, Director General of Water Use Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, stated, “The preservation of healthy soil can only be achieved through systematic measurement and management.” He added, “I hope that this event serves as an opportunity for us to reflect on the importance of soil and to maintain a continuous interest in soil conservation in our daily lives.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com