Children Thrilled at World Soil Day Celebration

Did the magpies that crossed to Japan during King Sejong’s era survive? At the World Soil Day celebration held on December 5 the program that captivated children the most was a special lecture by ecological storyteller Kwon Oh-jun titled Wisdom Learned from Nature.

Kwon introduced a historical record from the Annals of King Sejong describing how an envoy from Tsushima Island requested magpies white doves and ducks. In response King Sejong ordered five pairs of magpies two pairs of white doves and two pairs of ducks to be sent.

Inspired by this record Kwon asked Japanese scholars to look for evidence of the arrival of Korean magpies in Japan. However no documentation from King Sejong’s era was found. The children listened intently to the lecture learning that even in the 15th century ecological diplomacy existed.

The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Wan-seop) and the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute hosted the two-day World Soil Day event at COEX Magok in Gangseo-gu Seoul starting December 5. The theme for this year was Caring for Soils: Measure Monitor Manage.

Established by the United Nations during its 68th General Assembly in 2013 World Soil Day is celebrated annually on December 5 to raise awareness of soil’s importance and promote efforts for its conservation worldwide. South Korea has hosted government-led commemorative events since 2015 making this the 10th anniversary. This year’s celebration gathered over 300 attendees including soil scientists industry professionals government officials children and youth.

The ceremony included awards for 10 individuals recognized for their contributions to soil conservation. Additionally 16 outstanding participants from the Soil and Groundwater Summer Camp for Children held in July were honored.

Following the ceremony Kwon Oh-jun conducted a special interactive lecture titled Wisdom Learned from Nature tailored to children. The session encouraged dialogue and questions fostering a deeper understanding of nature.

Source: WIPNEWS

On December 6 a symposium on soil and groundwater was held at the same venue. During the symposium Joo Wan-ho Deputy CEO of Elfs Co. presented on Improving Soil and Groundwater Investigation and Remediation Policies. Professor Jang Yoon-young of Kwangwoon University discussed Assessment Systems for Sustainable Soil Management and Kim Min-chul President of the International Environmental Policy Research Institute introduced Policy Design to Promote Reuse of Remediated Soil.

Lee Seung-hwan Director of the Water Use Policy Division at the Ministry of Environment remarked “The preservation of healthy soil can only be achieved through systematic measurement and management. We hope this event serves as a reminder of soil’s value and inspires ongoing interest in soil conservation in daily life.”

Awardees from the Opening Day Ceremony:

Ministry of Environment Awards for Contributions in Soil Conservation:

[Ministerial Awardees]:
Kim Dong-jin Researcher National Institute of Environmental Research
Kim Eun-jung Researcher Ulsan Institute of Health & Environment
Ahn Da-mi Environmental Officer Taebaek City Gangwon-do
Yeo Jin-woo Deputy Manager Korea Environment Corporation
Yoon Young-jin Manager Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation
Jeong Mi-jin Manager Korea Rural Community Corporation
Sung Eun-sik Head of Research National Land Environment Research Institute
Yoon Hyun-sik Executive Director Anyis Co. Ltd.
Moon Hee-seon Senior Researcher Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
So Jung-hyun Executive Dongmyeong Enterprises
Awards for Excellence at the Children’s Summer Camp:

Ministry of Environment Awards:

Grand Prize:
Sim Ha-rin (Performance) Myungsan Elementary School
Top Prize:
Han Ye-ju Hyowon Elementary School
Lee Jae-sung (Performance) Incheon Songil Elementary School
Choi Min-jun (Performance) Dasol Elementary School
Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute Awards:

Excellence Awards:
Lee Jae-yul (Performance) Geumgyo Elementary School
Lee Jae-beom Gimpo Cheongsu Elementary School
Kim Jin-heon Munbaek Elementary School
Lee Si-woo Incheon Songlim Elementary School
Kim Ji-hwan Dasan Hangang Elementary School
Ahn Se-hyung Daegu Bokmyeong Elementary School
Seok Ha-ram Songsoo Elementary School
Lee Jae-eun Seoksa Elementary School
Park Cho-yeon Biryoung Elementary School
Son Chae-young Seoul Gajaeul Elementary School
Ko Ji-won Jungam Elementary School
Lee Jun-hyuk Dochon Elementary School

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