Jin Nam Kim of Jeonnam Provincial Council: "Let's Hang the Future, Not Banners, for the Presidential Election"

Jin Nam Kim, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Suncheon 5th District), has called for environmental measures to address the expected surge in election banners ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

During the '5-Minute Free Speech' session at the 2nd plenary meeting of the 389th temporary session, Kim stated, "As the presidential election approaches, we cannot overlook the environmental impact of the flood of banners," and emphasized, "We must move one step closer to achieving carbon neutrality by establishing a recycling system for banners and using eco-friendly materials."

Jin Nam Kim, Former Jeonnam Provincial Councilor

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According to Kim on the 29th, approximately 450,000 banners were displayed in the Jeonnam region throughout 2024, with 218,000 of them classified as illegal postings and subsequently removed. However, most of the removed banners were either discarded or incinerated without being recycled.

He pointed out, "Incinerating banners releases large amounts of greenhouse gases and carcinogens, posing a serious threat to the environment and the health of local residents." He proposed, "We need to establish a system for efficiently collecting and sorting discarded banners, and develop concrete action plans such as expanding distribution channels for recycled products."

In particular, he stressed the need to collaborate with the Provincial Office of Education to operate eco-friendly design camps and resource circulation activities utilizing discarded banners, focusing on elementary, middle, and high schools. He added that these activities should be linked with environmental education to strengthen the capacity to respond to the climate crisis.

Kim cited an American proverb, "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children," and urged, "I ask for your active interest and cooperation so that Jeonnam can lay the foundation for becoming an eco-friendly city and hang up the 'future' instead of banners."

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