The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced that nine bills, including the Natural Park Act and the Air Quality Preservation Act, passed the National Assembly's plenary session.
The revised Natural Park Act introduces a new concept of 'park resources' that includes not only natural ecosystems and landscapes but also cultural landscapes. The national and local governments are now required to assess and actively promote the economic and social value of national, provincial, and municipal parks, as well as geological parks.
The amendment focuses on expanding natural parks from spaces primarily for conservation to areas that also offer cultural and experiential functions. The range of permissible activities within cultural heritage zones in parks will also be broadened, allowing for various programs utilizing cultural landscapes such as temple forests.
The legislation also includes improvements aimed at alleviating the burden on small businesses.
With the revisions to the Air Quality Preservation Act and the Integrated Management of Environmental Pollution Facilities Act, small businesses will be able to apply for installment payments for emission fees exceeding a certain amount, regardless of whether they are experiencing a management crisis or disaster. The threshold is set at over 1 million won under the Air Quality Preservation Act and over 5 million won under the Integrated Management Act.
Furthermore, the Air Quality Preservation Act now provides a legal basis for the operation of advanced monitoring equipment, such as mobile measurement vehicles, drones, and optical gas imaging cameras. This is expected to enhance the monitoring system for businesses suspected of illegal emissions.
Measures to increase the effectiveness of regulations against excessive packaging in parcel delivery will also be introduced.
The revised Resource Recycling Act establishes a basis for the installation of a 'Product Packaging Management Support Center' within the Korea Environmental Corporation. This center will be responsible for checking compliance with packaging standards and conducting surveys.
The Waste Management Act has also been amended to expand the scope of recyclable medical waste. Currently, only placentas can be recycled, but in the future, human-derived fats that have passed safety and ethical verification may also be used as raw materials for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
Additionally, the amendment to the Odor Prevention Act lays the groundwork for the establishment of an odor information management system, while the Indoor Air Quality Management Act requires the submission of indoor air quality measurement results from multi-use facilities to the government, thereby increasing the transparency of related information.
In the water management sector, a basis for establishing a watershed disaster support center to assist local governments in responding to floods and droughts has been created. The special law for the eco-friendly conservation and utilization of areas around dams has removed the sunset provision originally set for the end of 2027 and established a basis for the entrusted operation of related projects.
A Ministry official stated, "We plan to take follow-up measures, including the revision of subordinate regulations, to ensure that the laws passed today are implemented smoothly in the field."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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