A view of Jeju Provincial Government Office (Photo courtesy of Jeju Province)
JEJU, May 26 (Korea Bizwire) — As countries grapple with mounting plastic pollution, the 2025 Asia Upcycle Jeju Forum will bring together international experts, policymakers, and sustainability advocates on June 4 at the Jeju Booyoung Hotel to explore collaborative solutions through upcycling.
Hosted by Jeju Province and organized by the Jeju Upcycle Association, the forum is being held as an official side event of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Environment Day celebrations, which take place in Jeju on June 5.
This year’s theme, “From Waste to Value: Preventing Plastic Pollution Through Upcycling,” will be explored through two core sessions featuring keynote speeches, presentations, and panel discussions.
The forum will open with a keynote address by Yoon Soon-jin, a professor at Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Environmental Studies, titled “Upcycling and Agents of Change in the Era of Climate Crisis.”
Session one will focus on policy and governance models from South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. Moderated by Professor Kim Young-jae of Pusan National University, the session will include presentations and discussion by Yonsei University’s Lee Tae-dong, Professor Michelle Palumbarit of the University of the Philippines, Professor Maji Lee of Waseda University, and Professor Jang Yong-chul of Chungnam National University.
Session two will address the “Blue Economy and Marine Sustainability,” led by Jeju provincial legislator Lee Seung-ah and featuring speakers including Professor Naoki Nishihara of Nagasaki University, Dr. Kim Kyung-mi of the Korea Fisheries Infrastructure Agency, Netspar CEO Jeong Taek-su, and Professor Henry Kang of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
A special session will also be held under the theme “Circular Economy for a Sustainable Ocean,” with a keynote by Jeong Bok-cheol of the West Sea Fisheries Research Institute and a discussion led by Lee Dong-soon, president of the Jeju Upcycle Association.
In parallel with the forum, an exhibition titled Sustainable Living will showcase eco-friendly and upcycled products—from keychains made of recycled diving suits to leather scrap accessories, zero-waste crafts, and naturally dyed clothing—highlighting practical applications of circular economy principles.
The event underscores Jeju’s growing role as a regional hub for environmental innovation and circular economy dialogue in Asia.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
