Donghae City Health Center said it will conduct joint inspections of no-smoking areas and tobacco retailers following revisions to the Tobacco Business Act.
The inspections are intended to confirm on-the-ground compliance as the law, taking effect April 24, expands the definition of tobacco from “tobacco leaves” to products made using tobacco or nicotine as a raw material.
The checks will run from April 24 to May 15, including daytime and nighttime patrols. Inspectors will crack down on smoking in no-smoking zones and verify compliance with standards for tobacco vending machines, as well as advertising rules inside tobacco retail shops.
Under the revision, all tobacco use is banned in no-smoking areas regardless of type, including cigarettes, heated tobacco products, liquid e-cigarettes and synthetic nicotine products. Violations are subject to fines, the health center said.
The health center said it will also publicize the expanded definition and related rule changes to reduce confusion.
Hong Jong-ran, head of the Health Policy Division, said the broader definition brings synthetic nicotine products—previously in a regulatory blind spot—under the same rules. She urged residents and business operators to cooperate in observing no-smoking zones and sales standards.
Donghae City Council opens 360th extraordinary session to review 14 ordinance bills
Donghae City Council on Monday held the first plenary meeting of its 360th extraordinary session and began deliberations on 14 agenda items, including four ordinances proposed by council members and a city-submitted “Basic Ordinance on Artificial Intelligence.”
Min Gwi-hee proposed revisions to the city’s mental health promotion ordinance to establish a basis for securing public hospital beds in advance and quickly linking services for emergency hospitalization of people with mental illness. Min also proposed revising rules on overseas official travel by council members to restrict end-of-term trips criticized as junkets, aiming to strengthen accountability and ethics.
Lee Dong-ho proposed an ordinance to support nighttime tourism as part of a shift toward longer-stay travel policies, and said facilities that allow pets should be expanded in connection with the planned Mangsang auto camping site.
Ahn Seong-jun proposed revising an ordinance on the transfer and inheritance of individual taxi transport businesses, extending the reporting period for inheriting a private taxi license from 90 days to 180 days to ease burdens on bereaved families.
Lee Chang-su welcomed the reopening of the rail crossing at Hapyeong Beach following consultations with relevant agencies, and called on the city administration to respond actively in developing plans to keep and use Mukho Station.
Jeong Dong-su said the city should step up publicity to minimize negative perceptions over higher fees at the Mureung Byeolyucheonji site. He also urged improvements to tourism infrastructure, including reviewing the introduction of a dedicated lift for the luge to improve equipment handling and visitor movement.
The council said it will focus its review on ordinances tied to local issues and policies residents can feel in daily life.
Yangyang wildfire fully contained in about 2 hours; no casualties
A wildfire that broke out Monday morning in Nonhwa-ri, Seo-myeon, Yangyang County, was contained without major damage after a rapid initial response and coordination among civilian, government and military teams, the county said.
The fire started around 7:43 a.m. in the area of Mountain Lot No. 159 in Nonhwa-ri, for reasons not immediately known. With winds of about 7 meters per second, officials said there was a risk it could spread into a large wildfire.
Authorities dispatched five firefighting helicopters and 35 pieces of equipment, and mobilized 134 personnel: 20 county officials, 51 firefighters, eight police officers, eight members of a special wildfire unit and 47 from a disaster response team, the county said.
Because the fire was confirmed near Jeongdaun Maeul, a social welfare facility, an emergency evacuation was carried out. A total of 113 people—73 residents with severe disabilities and 40 staff members—were moved safely to the Yangyang County Multipurpose Gymnasium.
The county provided emergency supplies including 150 blankets and 150 bottles of water, along with temporary relief kits and diapers.
The main blaze was brought under control at 9:05 a.m., about 1 hour and 20 minutes after the fire began, and the fire was fully extinguished after remaining embers were cleared by 10:20 a.m., the county said.
A county official said the quick response and close coordination prevented casualties. Officials are focusing on monitoring for flare-ups and will investigate the cause and damage after the situation is closed out.
Samcheok Maengbang Canola Flower Festival closes after 17 days, drawing 260,000 visitors
Samcheok’s signature spring event, the Samcheok Maengbang Canola Flower Festival, ended successfully after running for 17 days from April 3 to 19 in the area of Sangmaengbang-ri, Geundeok-myeon, in Gangwon Province.
Held under the theme “Maengbang, Blooming Into Spring,” the festival went ahead despite difficult conditions after last year’s unusually long autumn rainy season damaged canola seeding areas. The city and the festival organizing committee carried out replanting using potted seedlings and created circular flower beds with a variety of flowers in damaged sections, turning the setback into a new attraction.
The newly introduced “Samcheokdongja” character, paired with the canola flower scenery, helped boost the festival atmosphere, organizers said.
Organizers counted about 260,000 visitors, with roughly 60% coming from outside the area. Direct consumer spending was estimated at about 9.4 billion won, and the broader local economic ripple effect, including production inducement, was estimated at about 14 billion won.
Local food stalls and agricultural specialty markets operated during the festival, alongside performances and hands-on programs, which organizers said improved visitor satisfaction and supported local businesses.
A Samcheok city official said the festival concluded successfully thanks to the efforts of residents and organizers despite challenging conditions, and pledged continued improvements so it can remain a leading spring festival for the region.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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