World Environment Day 2006

The 11th World Environment Day was observed with a ceremony under the theme "The Environment and Health"at the COEX in Samsung-dong, southeastern Seoul on June 5.
The participants of the ceremony included Prime Minister Han Myung-sook, Environment Minister Lee Chi-beom, representatives from major environment organizations and other walks of society.
The government held a variety of events corresponding to the catchphrase "A Beautiful Environment and Healthy Future'and celebrating the designation of the year 2006 as the first year of its efforts to ensure "environmental health"Thirty-one people were presented with orders and medals, while 11 others were awarded with presidential citations. Chung Yeon-taek, chairman of the Religious Organizations Environment Policy Council, was conferred the Civil Merit Order, Dongbaek, while Kim Il-jung, president of the Citizen's Movement for Environmental Justice, and Shin Dong-cheon, professor of Yonsei University, received the Civil Merit Order Mokryeon and Service Merit Order, respectively.
In a related development, the Environment Foundation, in cooperation with the Environment Ministry, the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, launched a campaign dubbed "Cool Biz Korea"aimed at prodding people to not wear neckties and reduce operations of air-conditioners in order to cut down on greenhouse gasses emissions.
During a ceremony marking the declaration of the "Cool Biz Korea"in the lobby of the Government Building Complex in Sejongro, downtown Seoul, the Environment Foundation and the related ministries jointly held a "no-necktie fashion show"in celebration of the 11th anniversary of World Environment Day. Yoo In-chon, president of Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, Lee Hyung-mo, president of Ngotimes.net, Kim Myung-gon, minister of culture and tourism, showed off their respective costume without a necktie as a model during the fashion show.
About 300 Daelim Industrial and family members were engaged in an environmental activity on Mt. Namsan Park on June 3 in celebration of World Environment Day. The participants removed weeds and refurbished the drainage. About 50 offspring of Daelim Industrial executives and staff were also present during the campaign. nw

Minister of Environment Lee Chi-beom