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Evening ESG news and briefings to wrap up your day.
Cabbage prices surged this summer due to the heatwave and drought to the point of acquiring the nickname ‘gold cabbage.’ In mid-August, the price per head of cabbage exceeded KRW 7,000, and consumers, with the burden growing, could not help but worry about cabbage prices with the approaching kimchi-making season.Due to the drought and heatwave in August and frequent rain in September, cabbage shipments decreased to a certain level. In this situation, the government actively intervened in the market starting around Chuseok, securing an all-time high of 35,500 tons of available supply and releasing it to the market in phases to stabilize the kimchi-making season supply. Furthermore, it injected a budget of KRW 50 billion to support discount sales of cabbage. Through December 3, discount events were held at large and small/medium-sized marts on all kimchi ingredient items.[Kimchi-Making Season Cabbage Ⓟ News1]Stabilization of Cabbage Prices and Reduction of Kimchi-Making Costs Through Government ResponseThanks to the effect of these policies, cabbage prices dropped sharply in November. The retail price, which had been KRW 6,844 a month earlier, fell by half to KRW 3,392. The smooth supply of cabbage was also aided by the fact that the autumn cultivation area increased by 2.5% compared to the previous year.As a result, the cost of making kimchi for a family of four was approximately KRW 210,000, about KRW 12,000 lower than last year. As the prices of other kimchi ingredients such as radish, garlic, and onion also fell together, the burden on consumers was reduced.The Climate Crisis Continues, with Ripple Effects Reaching Other Crop CultivationWhile cabbage prices are showing stabilization thanks to government measures, crop cultivation continues to be hit by the climate crisis. Lettuce production decreased due to poor weather such as frequent rain in October, and although the government increased imports to prevent a sharp rise in lettuce prices, keeping them stable, the damage from this autumn’s rainy season was so extensive that the supply of lettuce in Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do, a major production area, can hardly be described as stable. [Lettuce Reference Photo Ⓟ gettyimages]Beyond lettuce, the phenomenon in which the prices of key raw materials such as tomatoes and oranges become unstable due to climate change is repeating. Had it not been for government intervention this time, the uncertainty in the supply of the vegetables and fruit we routinely eat would have been much more serious. If climate changes and sudden temperature fluctuations — different from before, like the snow that recently fell at heavy snow levels in a short span — occur again, the volatility of food ingredient prices could grow even greater.[Cabbage Field in Yeoryang-myeon, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do Ⓟ Gangwon State Agricultural Research and Extension Services/Yonhap News]Time for Efforts Toward Crop Cultivation Amid the Climate CrisisMeanwhile, an increasing number of farms are converting from unstable highland cabbage to other crops such as apples and cabbages. Although various measures are being discussed, including the cultivation of heat-resistant cabbage varieties, customized cultivation strategies by variety, and Genome Editing (GEO) technology, these are likely to be stopgap measures in the end. Amid the annually intensifying abnormal weather, the real crisis we face is not the price of a single head of cabbage but the fact that the entire agricultural ecosystem is being shaken. The ‘gold cabbage’ controversy that repeats every kimchi-making season is not a simple seasonal issue but a warning sign showing how the climate crisis threatens our everyday lives. In the face of abnormal weather in which diverse anomalies occur regardless of the speed of our adaptation, urgent measures are needed. by Editor N
This autumn, numerous local festivals were held. The most talked-about local festival was surely the ‘Gimcheon Gimbap Festival.’ First launched in 2024, the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival achieved great success this year with 150,000 visitors. Restaurant sales rose 29% year-on-year, sales of agricultural and specialty products increased by 93%, and including the food, beverage, accommodation, transportation, experience, and souvenir spending by tourists beyond gimbap ingredients during the festival period, an economic ripple effect of over KRW 10 billion is estimated. Although successful local festivals like this are being held and the festival budgets of local governments nationwide have increased, the number of festival participants and the economic effects are not on an overall upward trend. Even so, can regions still pin their hopes on festivals? Of course they can. The reason is simple. Unlike the Seoul metropolitan area, for regions with limited industrial bases and resources, festivals serve as strategic opportunities that go beyond mere sights to see — strengthening local identity, connecting residents and tourists, and revitalizing the local economy. So how was the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival able to overtake numerous competing festivals at once to gain fame and profit? Let us examine the strategy.[Gimcheon Gimbap Festival Poster Ⓟ Gimcheon City]What Was Placed at the Center of the Festival Was the ‘Visitor Experience’The differentiating point of the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival is that it placed visitors at the center of the festival. It omitted the ceremonial opening ceremony and introduction of dignitaries that no local festival ever skipped and filled the festival with content that visitors could thoroughly enjoy. Having experienced the early exhaustion of gimbap supplies last year, it significantly expanded the number of gimbap suppliers from 8 to 32 this year. As a result, visitors were able to leisurely enjoy a wider variety of gimbap. The types of gimbap were also a fun element. It was arranged so that visitors could taste not only unique gimbap from across the eight provinces of Korea but also the winning entries of the festival’s gimbap contest on the spot.[The buzzworthy ‘Gimbap Factory’ space at the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival Ⓟ Gimcheon City]It also added visual attractions to the food. At the entrance, the manufacturing process of Daejeong Co., Ltd. in the Gimcheon Industrial Complex, which produces over 1,000 rolls of gimbap per hour, was revealed in an open kitchen format, instantly capturing people’s attention. At the experience booths, diverse programs themed around gimbap were operated, such as gimbap nail art, making 70 cm gimbap, and gimbap keyring crafting. The invited performances were also themed accordingly, with singer ‘Jadu’ evoking thoughts of gimbap and ‘Norazo’ with their triangular gimbap-shaped hair taking the stage, solidifying the festival’s identity while raising the atmosphere even higher. Amid the scene of people of all ages and genders naturally mingling and having fun, the festival organically combined a participatory structure, enjoyment, and local character to maximize the tourist experience.A Festival Created Together by Local Resources and IndustryThe starting point of the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival was surprisingly simple. When a survey conducted in a community in 2023 asked ‘What comes to mind when you think of Gimcheon?’ many responded with ‘Gimbap Cheonguk’ (Gimbap Heaven, a gimbap chain brand), and Gimcheon City connected this to local identity and the festival. A citizen’s lightly thrown response developed into a local brand strategy that reinterpreted regional identity. The city’s witty marketing drew the interest of many people.In this way, the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival naturally revitalized local resources and industry through the medium of ‘gimbap.’ It presented local gimbap that could only be tasted in Gimcheon and created a structure in which anyone from inside or outside the region could participate, as long as they did not deviate from the theme. Small merchants even appeared selling triangular gimbap-shaped hand knitting and gimbap-shaped meringue cookies, with the participation of local residents and small businesses organically combining.It is also worth noting that eco-friendliness was added to the festival operation, with the participation of local company EcoV Co., Ltd., which produces cargo electric bicycles. The electric bicycles carried gimbap around the event venue, increasing the efficiency of on-site programs, and after the event ended, they performed various roles such as waste collection and supporting movement routes. When local resources and industry came together, the festival produced a win-win outcome.[Electric bicycle seen at the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival Ⓟ Gyeongsangbuk-do]The Gimcheon Gimbap Festival demonstrates that local festivals can grow in an economically sustainable direction only when visitor-centered operation, the participation of local resources and industry, and eco-friendly methods mesh together. The task that local governments must now solve is clear: not simply to promote specialty products or repeat one-off events to secure subsidies, but to develop festivals into industrial and cultural platforms based on local resources. At the same time, the social value of festivals forming and connecting local communities must not be overlooked.Adding imagination and interpretation to the cultural and environmental resources that each region possesses — it is precisely at that point that the path forward for future local festivals will open. by Editor N
Mountain goats that have begun to be frequently sighted within our living radius in recent years. Mountain goats that should inhabit deep mountains came down to roadsides and around villages because they could not find food due to successive heavy snowfalls. As cases of them dying from exhaustion while wandering in the snow or starving after being trapped behind fences unable to escape followed one after another, the mountain goat became an example showing that the survival of wildlife is not easy within the human-made climate crisis.On the 2nd, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment designated the mountain goat as the endangered wildlife species of November 2025. This is to raise awareness of the crisis facing the mountain goat — a herbivore representing the Korean Peninsula’s forest ecosystem and Natural Monument No. 217 — and to heighten alertness regarding its protection.[Mountain goat designated as the Endangered Wildlife Species of November Ⓟ National Institute of Ecology]A Life Form That Withstood Two Million Years Now Stands in CrisisDespite its name, the mountain goat is not a goat but a medium-sized mammal belonging to the bovid family, possessing a body structure specialized for rugged environments such as cliffs and rocky terrain. Both males and females have horns, and their deeply cloven hooves cling to rocks like professional climbing equipment, enabling them to scale steep terrain with agility. In particular, the mountain goat retains much of the appearance it had when it first appeared on Earth approximately two million years ago, thus earning the name ‘living fossil.’ Only four species exist worldwide today, and among them, one species inhabits South Korea, with most of the population concentrated in the mountainous regions of Gangwon-do and the Gyeongsang provinces. Originally, mountain goats were widely distributed across the entire Korean Peninsula. Their population declined sharply in the early 1900s due to industrialization, indiscriminate hunting, and forest degradation, and the mass die-off caused by heavy snow in 1964 accelerated the collapse of the mountain goat population. Accordingly, the mountain goat was designated as a Natural Monument in 1968 and began to be protected as a Grade 1 Endangered Wildlife Species in 1998, yet the mountain goat’s crisis remains ongoing.[Mountain goat walking along an ASF fence © Citizens’ Movement for National Park Protection]Life Crumbled Before Human-Made FencesIn recent years, the most serious factor threatening the survival of mountain goats has been ASF (African Swine Fever) barrier fences. Originally installed with the purpose of blocking the movement of wild boars to prevent disease spread, they were installed lengthily in the form of traversing mountainous terrain along major roads, leaving unexpected side effects for various wildlife including mountain goats, roe deer, martens, and Asiatic black bears. Mountain goats that came down the mountain in search of water and food lost their way upon encountering the fences, and some were structurally trapped in enclosed spaces, with repeated cases of exhaustion or starvation leading to death. Furthermore, the fences blocked genetic exchange between habitats, reducing the health of the population, and deprived them of spaces to evacuate to when climate disasters struck. For wildlife that must migrate seasonally in search of food, the fences did not act as mere ‘obstructions’ but as artificial boundaries that forcibly fragmented habitats and demolished survival strategies themselves.In fact, from November 2023 to May 2024, as many as 1,022 mountain goats died due to heavy snow and ASF barrier fences. Considering the domestic population of approximately 1,600 estimated by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, about 75% of the mountain goats disappeared. This mass die-off is not a mere natural phenomenon but an event that starkly demonstrates what kind of danger the combination of climate disasters and human-made structures can pose to wildlife.[Removal Roadmap © ASF Central Disaster Management Headquarters]The Government Begins to Move, Albeit LateFollowing the mass die-off, the government conducted a detailed investigation together with the Korea Environment Institute and the National Institute of Ecology to reexamine the effectiveness and ecological damage of the ASF fences. As the investigation concluded that the fences were causing structural obstacles to the survival of wildlife beyond their quarantine purposes, the government announced a full-scale fence removal roadmap.The ASF Central Disaster Management Headquarters finalized a wide-area fence management plan oriented toward maintaining quarantine effectiveness while reducing ecological impact. Wide-area fence management is broadly divided into removal and retention, with removal scheduled to proceed in three phases from January next year: ▲Phase 1 priority removal, ▲Phase 2 expanded removal, and ▲Phase 3 mid- to long-term removal review. Additionally, in preparation for heavy snow this winter, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment decided to expand the partially opened sections of national parks — currently under a pilot project — before fence removal, to secure movement routes for wildlife.One Endangered Wildlife Species Highlighted Each Month: What Does It Mean?Biodiversity does not simply mean the number of plants and animals but signifies a ‘safety net’ responsible for the survival of all life on Earth, including humans. When biodiversity declines, nature’s carbon absorption capacity falls, accelerating climate change, and climate change in turn destroys the habitats of species — a vicious cycle repeats. [Mountain goat that came down seeking food due to heavy snow © Citizens’ Movement for National Park Protection]To raise awareness of this crisis, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment selects and publicizes one endangered wildlife species each month. This means that as many species as we must pay attention to each month are in danger. From heatwaves and droughts to heavy snow and floods, and the mass death of mountain goats, the Earth has already sent warnings multiple times. The reason we must remember endangered species is not simply to mourn them. It is because we must act before the safety net of biodiversity and the balance of the Earth’s ecosystem collapse. Protecting the mountain goat is ultimately protecting ourselves, and will serve as the starting point for restoring the resilience of the entire Earth’s ecosystem. by Editor N
There are university students seeking to examine the ‘environmental problems of a new dimension’ that the current generation faces. The ‘Unbridled Advertising Group,’ a gathering of advertising club students from Korea University, Dongguk University, Sejong University, and Ewha Womans University, is holding an advertising festival under the theme of <Rebirth (甦生): Be Green> from November 14 to 16. Why did the approximately 100 students, gathered under the name of the Unbridled Advertising Group and active as aspiring advertisers and marketers, come to talk about the environment and rebirth? Let us hear their vivid stories as they prepare for the advertising festival. [<Rebirth (甦生): Be Green> held at Eulji Twin Tower from November 14 to 16 Ⓟ Unbridled Advertising Group]We are curious why you chose the keyword ‘Rebirth (甦生)’ as your theme. Among numerous environment-related keywords, why did you focus on ‘coming back to life’?// We thought ‘Rebirth (甦生),’ which means ‘coming back to life,’ conveys a message of hope and recovery for the environment through the word itself. Rather than simply shouting that we must protect the environment because the problems are severe, we wanted to convey a positive perspective that we fully believe in the possibility of living again even amid what we have already lost, and that we should act. Thus, Rebirth signifies not only the will to bring the environment back to life, but also our attitude of believing in the power of change even amid crisis, and our resolve toward a world in which all life and values breathe again.As university students today, what is your perspective on environmental issues? We are curious about what concerns were exchanged when discussing the theme.// We feel that interest in environmental problems and the environment has grown not just among ‘university students’ but across all generations. However, we think that a ‘contradiction’ still exists between the interest in the environment and students’ actions. As we produce advertising materials, waste such as paper and plastic is inevitably generated. But at an advertising festival themed around the environment, we felt a sense of awareness that it would be contradictory for us to harm the environment. So we held many discussions among members to operate in a direction that places as little burden on the environment as possible. For example, we directly contacted brands that use eco-friendly materials to request sponsorship, and we sought to reduce environmental pollution by minimizing printed materials and creating a system to collect pamphlets. These were attempts to make it not merely ‘an advertising festival that talks about the environment’ but ‘an advertising festival that practices it.’[<Rebirth (甦生): Be Green> Exhibition Site Ⓟ Unbridled Advertising Group]There are many advertising festivals dealing with environmental issues. If there is a differentiated perspective or message unique to the ‘Unbridled Advertising Group,’ what would it be?// We think the category of ‘environment’ is a fairly accessible concept, but precisely for that reason, we believe there are many stories that can be unpacked from it. The greatest differentiating point is that we did not view the concept of ‘environment’ solely through the lens of physical pollution. We did not stop at dealing with traditional environmental pollution issues such as waste, fine dust, and plastic, but addressed problems that have expanded into the realm of the ‘digital’ and ‘conscience’ — new forms of environment facing the current generation. Our Unbridled Advertising Group selected three themes within the broad category of environment — resources, digital, and the paradox in the name of eco-friendliness — to convey our message. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, in terms of DP and the like, if you also look at the exhibition hall — where minimal resources were used to create a feel that, while not grand, is clean and orderly — you will also experience a different kind of enjoyment.The three axes of ‘rebirth of resources, rebirth of digital consciousness, and rebirth of conscience’ are intriguing. // Through the three sections of this advertising festival, we sought to view environmental problems from a new dimension. Initially, we tried to structure the advertising festival around keywords that first come to mind when thinking of ‘environment,’ such as plastic, recycling, and waste sorting. But through repeated discussions, we came to think: what about awakening people to things they had unconsciously passed by and not been aware of? From that point, we came to realize that environmental problems are deeply hidden even within the things we use every day but take for granted (consumption, digital devices, our attitudes, etc.). In fact, we think it is not easy for people to reflect on their own unless someone awakens them. Therefore, the three themes — resources, digital consciousness, and conscience — lead to a flow that urges changes not only in the environment but in our perception and attitude toward the environment. The ‘Rebirth’ we speak of is not only the recovery of nature but also the process of our environmental consciousness awakening once more. As a university student advertising club dealing with ESG and environmental issues, what would you say are your strengths compared to companies or professionals?// We think our greatest strength as a university student advertising club is that we can present new perspectives based on diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. Our advertising festival is a project created together by approximately 100 university students from various departments across multiple schools, not just one. As a result, even when looking at topics like the environment or ESG, the perspectives rooted in different majors and experiences came together to reveal much broader and more multi-layered viewpoints. While companies and professionals generally approach issues with a focus on feasibility and marketability, we began from the free imagination and awareness of problems characteristic of university students. Starting from questions like “Is this truly sustainable?” and “What can we actually change?” we placed greater importance on the sincerity of the message and the meaning of practice than on realistic constraints. Ultimately, we believe our strength lies in ‘diverse attempts’ rather than ‘the right answer.’ Our strength seems to be the candid perspective of a generation looking at environmental issues and the potential to lead future changes.[A draft through which the experience provided by the Unbridled Advertising Group can be understood Ⓟ Unbridled Advertising Group]What kind of experience do you want to provide to the audience through holding the advertising festival?// In fact, the Unbridled Advertising Group has held its advertising festival in an ‘exhibition format’ every year, but this year’s festival was designed so that the viewing itself is an experience of the ‘process of rebirth,’ rather than a mere exhibition listing outcomes. As the audience walks through the exhibition hall, they follow a journey leading from ‘rebirth of resources → rebirth of digital consciousness → rebirth of conscience,’ and this circulation route is structured as a storytelling structure that allows one to directly feel how the environment and consciousness in which we live can come back to life. And this advertising festival is being held simultaneously with an online exhibition, where the descriptions of the works created by each team are explained in a PT board format in the form of ‘Because-Begin-Behave.’ And by enabling people to view the environment from a multifaceted angle and think about rebirth through the organic connection of the three sections, we sought to induce behavioral action from the audience.[‘Rebirth’ that can be experienced online Ⓟ Unbridled Advertising Group]Then, is there a specific behavioral change you expect from the audience through this advertising festival?// We hope it will be an advertising festival where novelty remains in memory and influences the audience’s lives. We think it would be a successful advertising festival if people experience information they were not aware of before through actual experience, and this impact later affects their daily lives. For example, there is much new knowledge to be gained, such as the dual nature of merchandise and Black Friday events, and the fact that the overuse of digital resources is also environmental pollution. How this is applied to daily life will differ from person to person, but if possible, we would like even small behavioral changes to occur, such as ‘stopping in one’s tracks before downloading a meaningless file.’ by Editor N
Every year when November approaches, the shelves of convenience stores and supermarkets are filled with Pepero gift sets. Pepero Day, which has established itself as a nationwide event since Korean media began covering it in earnest in 1996, is a commemorative day for both consumers and the retail industry. However, November 11 has a different original protagonist: ‘Farmers’ Day.’ Farmers’ Day was elevated and designated as a statutory commemorative day in 1996 to help the public recognize that agriculture is the foundation of the national economy and to encourage pride and self-esteem among farmers. Its origins are said to trace back to 1964, when the Wongseong-gun Federation of the Rural Improvement Club designated November 11 as Farmers’ Day and held the first commemorative event in Wonju City (then Wongseong-gun). Since the Chinese character 土 (to, meaning soil) can be separated into 十 (ten) and 一 (one), November 11 — where 11 overlaps twice — was chosen to embody the agricultural philosophy of ‘born of the soil, living alongside the soil as a companion, and ultimately returning to the soil.’ [President Kim Young-sam’s speech scene at the 1st Farmers’ Day Ⓟ Ministry of the Interior and Safety National Archives of Korea]The Counter to Pepero Day: The ‘Garaetteok Day’ Korean Agricultural Products MovementEven if Farmers’ Day has a longer history and tradition, what most people think of when November 11 arrives is probably Pepero Day. To overcome this, there were attempts to support Farmers’ Day. South Korea’s first-generation IT company AhnLab (formerly Ahn Cheol-soo Research Institute) launched a movement in 2003 to give and receive garaetteok (long cylinder-shaped rice cakes) instead of Pepero to commemorate Farmers’ Day. The purpose was to promote rice consumption at a time when the declining rice consumption of the younger generation was emerging as a social phenomenon. [AhnLab employees commemorating Garaetteok Day in 2010 Ⓟ AhnLab]When the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs officially designated Garaetteok Day as a commemorative day in 2006 and expanded it into a government-level campaign for the consumption of Korean agricultural products, Garaetteok Day rose as a formidable counter to the mighty Pepero Day. On Garaetteok Day, held to commemorate Farmers’ Day, related agencies of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and agriculture-related local governments run various campaigns targeting the younger generation each year. [National Institute of Crop Science Garaetteok Day Event Ⓟ NICS Instagram]The Reality of Declining Rice Consumption and Wheat Import DependenceThe need to promote rice consumption that Garaetteok Day emphasizes is no different from the early days of Garaetteok Day. For farmers, Garaetteok Day is not a mere campaign but something closer to an urgent reality. According to Statistics Korea, the annual per capita rice consumption in 2024 was 55.8 kg, less than half of the 120.5 kg consumed in 1994.While rice consumption has declined, wheat consumption has surged. Annual per capita wheat consumption is approximately 33 kg, about half that of rice, but South Korea’s wheat self-sufficiency rate is only around 1%. Over 99% of the 3.2 to 3.7 million tons of wheat consumed annually is dependent on imports. Over the past three years, the average domestic wheat import volume has reached 4.08 million tons. Major importing countries include Australia, the United States, Canada, Russia, and France.The government set a target of achieving a wheat self-sufficiency rate of 5% by 2025 and 10% by 2030 through the ‘1st Wheat Industry Development Basic Plan’ in 2020, but the target has been difficult to achieve to date. As consumption of wheat flour-based foods such as bread, ramen, and pasta has increased due to Westernized dietary habits, concerns are growing that food sovereignty is being threatened. As instability in the international grain market rises — such as the Russia-Ukraine war and India’s wheat export ban — the call for self-sufficiency in a minimum level of grain from the perspective of food security is also growing louder.The Future of Food Sovereignty to Recall When Making Consumption ChoicesIs November 11 Pepero Day or Garaetteok Day? It may be excessive to say we should participate in this competition and even think about wheat imports and food sovereignty. Yet the fact remains unchanged that the choice of traditional foods made from our rice is a matter that will determine food sovereignty and the future of agriculture. As the trends of meaning-out and value consumption spread, particularly centered on the MZ generation, interest in Korean agricultural products is rising. Evidence of this includes the increasing use of local food direct transaction platforms and the growing number of young consumers pursuing eco-friendly and sustainable consumption.How will we commemorate November 11? This year, in the realm of value consumption, let us think about the future that today will create.by Editor N
The 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, held in Gyeongju from October 31 to November 1, concluded successfully. Some 20,000 people including heads of state and delegations from 21 member countries, businesspeople, and journalists visited the thousand-year-old city of Gyeongju, injecting vitality into the local economy. The commercial districts around Gyeongju Hwangridan-gil and Bomun Complex bustled with domestic and international visitors, and APEC commemorative merchandise and events became daily topics of conversation. Industrial achievements led by AI and the shipbuilding industry, as well as diplomatic outcomes, also drew favorable responses. As the worries of large companies — which occupy a significant share of our industry — were resolved, interest in the stock market also grew. [Heads of state gathered at the Gyeongju APEC Ⓟ Office of the President]APEC with Economic Effects Worth KRW 7.4 Trillion, Vitalizing Local Small Business Districts TooIt is only natural that the economic effects of APEC, where nationwide discussions took place, also injected vitality into Gyeongju and local small business owners. Gyeongju City actively stepped up to support small business owners on the occasion of APEC by holding ‘BeLocal Week’ in partnership with Naver, introducing 30 local shops. Amid concentrated international interest in K-food, opportunities expanded for small business owners presenting Korean cuisine such as tteokbokki and chicken, and Hwangridan-gil is evaluated to have been more vibrant than usual thanks to the APEC boost.[Gyeongju City and Naver’s ‘BeLocal Week’ Site Ⓟ Gyeongju City]To examine somewhat more tangible effects, there was a noteworthy event held just before APEC: the 31st APEC SME Ministerial Meeting, held at the Jeju International Convention Center from September 1 to 5. The APEC SME Ministerial Meeting is one of the sectoral ministerial meetings of APEC, discussing tasks encompassing APEC SMEs, venture companies, and small business owners. Ministerial-level figures from APEC member countries visited Jeju to attend this SME Ministerial Meeting.[APEC SME Ministerial Meeting held in Jeju Ⓟ Ministry of SMEs and Startups]Jeju operated a ‘Receipt Admission Ticket’ program to draw international conference participants out into the local business districts beyond the conference venue. During this period, APEC participants visiting Jeju who presented receipts of KRW 50,000 or more spent at local restaurants, cafés, shops, and the like were able to visit representative tourist sites such as Jeju Stone Culture Park and Fantasy Forest Gotjawal Park at discounted prices. Additionally, APEC tour courses linking the original downtown alley commercial districts and traditional markets were operated, and a Food Expo and Beer Festival were held during the APEC period to expand opportunities for local small business owners to tangibly benefit from the APEC boost. This Jeju approach shows the possibility that international conferences can connect not only large companies and specific industries with benefits but also substantive benefits for the region and its small business owners.The significance of the ‘Jeju Initiative,’ adopted under South Korea’s leadership at the main event, the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting, is also great. It is the first case in which a new initiative was adopted among the various APEC ministerial meetings held this year. Its core is the launch of the ‘APEC Startup Alliance,’ linking the startup ecosystems of APEC member countries, and going beyond a mere declaration, it is planned to include implementation programs such as regular forums and the establishment of a standing network. Why Greater Ripple Effects Are Expected from the Gyeongju APECAt the September Jeju meeting, under the theme ‘SMEs: Engines of Sustainable and Inclusive Growth,’ policy cooperation among APEC member countries regarding SMEs, venture firms, and small business owners was concretely discussed. Cooperative measures were presented for the challenges facing SMEs, such as the rapid advancement of AI and changes in the global supply chain. And these discussions were further concretized through the ‘Gyeongju Declaration’ of the Gyeongju Summit. The Gyeongju Declaration includes cooperation among startups, and mentions small business owners and SMEs as subjects for securing trust in the digital economy roadmap. How far can the achievements of an apparently successful international event spread? Despite support measures such as the expansion of various policy funds and debt restructuring, the accumulated debt and high-interest burden continue to worry SMEs and small business owners. There are also complaints that the policies and environmental support arising from large meetings are concentrated on startups. Beyond Large Companies: New Opportunities for Regions and Small Business Owners Created by International ConferencesFor the APEC event not to end as a one-off event that merely presents a hopeful future across the industry as a whole, declarations must, as a matter of course, lead to implementation. Packages linking international event host regions with small business owners could be applied so that the charm of K-culture experienced by global media and businesspeople in Jeju and Gyeongju can be experienced again at the next international event. To expand the outcomes of international events, especially international conferences dealing with industrial agendas, an implementation plan that concretizes a win-win growth model from large companies down to small business owners as far as possible must not be missed and must be carried forward. From Jeju to Gyeongju, a model of international conferences broadly encompassing industrial sectors including small business owners and startups has unfolded. Going forward, we look forward to this success case becoming the standard for all international conferences that South Korea hosts, establishing a virtuous cycle structure in which the economic effects of large-scale events are evenly distributed not only to large companies but to the small business owners of alleyway commercial districts.by Editor N
Just days ago, we were still in short sleeves, but now it has grown chilly enough to need a padded jacket. Where has autumn gone? After the long heatwave had passed, we were expecting a crisp October, but reality was different. A persistent autumn monsoon and a sudden cold wave swept across the nation, and the autumn sky that should have been clear hardly showed itself. At a time when the harvest season and the foliage season coincide, the repeated monsoon has inflicted considerable damage on farms and tourist sites. With the changing seasons becoming increasingly difficult to predict, what is the cause?The Reason the Monsoon Arrived in OctoberThis year, from September onward, the number of rainy days and precipitation nationwide far exceeded the average year. The national average number of rainy days in September was 15.1, about six days more than average, and precipitation also reached 228.8 mm, exceeding the average of 155.1 mm. October was even more severe. In Seoul, it rained continuously for 12 days from the 3rd to the 14th, when the Chuseok holiday began, and within less than a month, the total had already exceeded double the average monthly rainfall for October.[Seoul Greeted by the Long Autumn Monsoon Ⓟ Yonhap News]This abnormal precipitation pattern referred to as the ‘autumn monsoon’ is not appearing for the first time this year. Last year as well, the national average autumn precipitation was 415 mm, approximately 55% higher than the average of 266.1 mm. In this way, autumn precipitation has been steadily increasing in recent years.This year, in particular, in contrast to the unusually short summer monsoon, it has been an anomalous year in which autumn rain fell nationwide for an extended period. Normally, as autumn arrives, the North Pacific High over the southern seas weakens, and the interior of the continent gradually cools, producing clear and dry weather. However, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration’s analysis, this year, cold air descending from the north and warm water vapor from the south met to form a stationary front, and with the North Pacific High lingering longer than the average year, warm, humid air flowed into the Korean Peninsula. As a result, the very structure of the atmosphere was different from the average year, and this can be seen as the greatest cause of this autumn monsoon.Unyielding Rain Strikes Farms During the Harvest SeasonFarms sustained the greatest damage from this autumn monsoon. With news of rain continuing even as harvest time approached, farmers who should have been enjoying the joy of harvest were plunged into anxiety. Various crops including rice, fruit, and vegetables suffered disease damage, and as timely harvesting became difficult, some farms reached the point of having to plow under the fields they had carefully cultivated. In regions awaiting the rice harvest, rice growth was poor due to the prolonged rain, and the fungal disease narrow brown leaf spot spread. In particular, the Yeongdong region suffered the double hardship of having its fields and paddies flooded only about 20 days after having experienced extreme drought. Rice that had been unable to grow due to drought was again hit by rain, delaying harvesting work, and concerns grew over a decline in the quality of new rice, with phenomena such as pre-harvest sprouting appearing in rain-soaked rice. In the case of Samcheok City, as of the 16th, 61% of the total rice cultivation area was confirmed to be in an unharvested state.[Rice paddies in Samcheok collapsed from the autumn monsoon Ⓟ Samcheok City]Not only rice but other crops such as napa cabbage, apples, and potatoes also took a direct hit. Fruit sweetness declined due to reduced sunlight, and the fruit cracking phenomenon occurred from the absorption of more moisture than needed, causing a significant drop in marketability. For kimchi-making season cabbages, the risk of major pests and diseases such as soft rot and downy mildew increased. On top of this, with the addition of concerns about cold damage from the sudden temperature drop, the anxiety of farmers continues to grow.Rain Instead of Autumn Leaves: A Changed Autumn LandscapeThe rain clouds that passed through the brief autumn have even altered the familiar autumn landscape. Those visiting famous foliage spots can easily spot leaves that have not yet fully turned color. This is because the summer heat continued until mid-October, and cold weather set in before the leaves had fully changed, preventing the conditions for foliage formation from being adequately met. Furthermore, concerns are being raised that with frequent rain and high humidity during the delayed foliage period, the autumn leaves may not turn vivid colors or may fall prematurely.[Peak foliage period expected from late October to early November Ⓟ Farmers’ Newspaper]According to the ‘2025 Forest Autumn Foliage Prediction Map’ published by the Korea Forest Service, the peak foliage period this year is projected to be late October to early November depending on the region. This is up to seven days later than the average year, a result that is markedly delayed compared to the past. In other words, anomalous weather phenomena including the autumn monsoon are even rendering the foliage season uncertain.The Familiar Boundaries of the Seasons Are DisappearingAs soon as the autumn monsoon that lasted through the third week of October ended, a sudden cold air mass arrived starting last weekend. Winter has strode in before autumn could even properly begin. On October 20, the minimum temperature at Seoraksan Mountain dropped to -1.3°C, and roughly 1 cm of the season’s first snow accumulated in the high-altitude areas of Seoraksan. The order of the seasons became tangled, with snow falling before the leaves had even changed. Such abnormal seasonal disruptions will only become more frequent going forward. [First snow falling at the Socheong Shelter in Seoraksan National Park, October 20 Ⓟ Seoraksan National Park Office]This year’s unusually long autumn monsoon is a signal that the balance of the seasons is collapsing. ‘Autumn-like weather’ is no longer a given. Within the new environment created by climate change, now is the time for us to prepare realistic response strategies for living alongside the changing seasons.by Editor N
This Chuseok, with National Foundation Day and Hangeul Day falling back-to-back, we were able to enjoy a long holiday. What remains after the holiday spent with loved ones is not just the afterglow of rest. The packaging that wrapped the gifts we prepared to express our gratitude has piled up just as high as those heartfelt sentiments. The unnecessary gift packaging problem recurs year after year — is there no solution?Packaging Waste Delivered Alongside GiftsMost holiday gift sets are wrapped in multiple layers of wrapping cloth, plastic film, Styrofoam, ice packs, coated boxes, and other packaging materials designed to maintain product freshness and convey a premium feel. The problem is that these packaging materials each fall under different recycling classification criteria, and some materials are simply difficult to recycle at all. Fruit protective padding that looks like Styrofoam must be sorted as plastic film, while foil-decorated or coated paper is classified as general waste. [Packaging waste separation and disposal guide ⓒ Korea Environment Corporation]To reduce packaging waste generation and promote recycling, the Ministry of Environment has established product packaging rules under the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources. These rules prohibit excessive packaging by, for example, limiting food and beverage products to no more than two layers of packaging. However, the regulations do not apply to unit products that repackage already individually packaged items or to products that consumers specifically request to be wrapped in more than two layers, leading to significant controversy over their effectiveness. In the lead-up to the Chuseok holiday, local governments have conducted inspections of offline stores and cracked down on excessive packaging. These efforts include imposing fines on products that violate packaging standards. However, Chuseok gift sets are also purchased online, and the same excessively packaged products distributed outside the jurisdiction of the inspecting local government cannot be fined, meaning such local government efforts yield only partial results. Additionally, this year's Chuseok gift sets also face the problem of excessive packaging costs, adding to the burden on consumers. According to the Korea Consumer Agency's "2025 Chuseok Gift Set Sales Price Survey," 36 out of 43 gift sets sold on manufacturers' own online malls were more expensive than purchasing the items individually. While buying in bundles is normally cheaper than buying individual products, the cost of gift packaging and other non-product elements consumed additional expenses. It is a situation that only adds burden to Chuseok, a time meant for sharing the year's bountiful harvest. Time for Comprehensive Regulatory Refinement and EnforcementTo reduce excessive packaging of agricultural products, which are especially heavily exchanged during holidays, the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service introduced new standards this year. The revised agricultural product standard specifications announced last August include guidelines for eco-friendly packaging. The main points of the guidelines are: ① Packaging design — avoid excessive packaging and composite materials, use single materials that are easy to recycle, minimize the number of ink colors; ② Reduction — prevent redundant use of supplementary materials such as cushioning and fillers, unify and lightweight materials; ③ Reuse — recommend introducing reusable structures such as multi-use containers; ④ Recycling — use materials with high recycling accessibility, include separation and disposal labeling, and recommend the use of biodegradable tape. The amendment has drawn both praise as a necessary revision for sustainable eco-friendly agriculture and concern that the use of expensive eco-friendly packaging materials will drive up product costs. [Eco-friendly packaging guidelines for agricultural products ⓒ Ministry of Environment]However, according to a survey conducted by the Korea Consumer Agency this year, 86.7% of consumers are willing to purchase eco-friendly products, and 95% of them responded that they would choose eco-friendly products even if they were more expensive. Consumer awareness of eco-friendly products has already reached a high level. This means that price increases resulting from the introduction of eco-friendly packaging materials are unlikely to lead to a contraction in consumption. To continue welcoming the cool autumn Chuseok holidays in the years ahead, eco-friendly products must outnumber those that are not. It is time for products and regulations that keep pace with civic consciousness to be actively introduced, so that a concern for the environment can also be included among the gifts we give. by Editor N