A ‘Pet Beach’ in Jeju’s Pyoseon Haevich Beach (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
JEJU, Oct. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – The Jeju Self-governing Provincial Government announced on Sunday its plan to expand its ‘Beach Adoption’ program, allowing businesses and organizations to adopt specific beaches and take the lead in environmental cleanup efforts.
The ‘Beach Adoption’ program was established to empower businesses, organizations and schools to take charge of particular beaches, caring for them in a manner similar to how people care for their pets.
Originating in the U.S. state of Texas in 1986, the program was later rolled out nationwide and was introduced in South Korea in 2020.
On Jeju Island, three businesses and organizations participated in adopting three beaches in September 2020 and this year marks the fourth anniversary of the program on the island.
Currently, a total of 25 businesses and organizations are overseeing companion beaches across 13 locations on Jeju.
A ‘Pet Beach’ in Jeju (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Companion beaches under operation on Jeju include Jungmun Saekdal Beach (Government Employees Pension Service, Korea Foundation, Mer Freediving Center, Mind Fitness and Jeju International Convention Center), Hyeopjae Beach (SK Rent-a-Car), Hwasun Golden Sand Beach (Southern Jeju Bitdream Headquarters of Korea Southern Power Co. and SK Pinx), Gwakji Beach (Ocean Care) and Eongal and Black Sand Beach (Catholic Children & Youth Foundation and Jin Air).
Businesses, organizations and schools participating in beach adoption are required to conduct cleaning activities on their respective companion beaches more than three times a year.
In addition to these activities, either in conjunction with cleaning or separately, they are also expected to plan and execute campaigns for marine environmental protection more than once a year.
To adopt beaches on Jeju Island, applications can be submitted through the Care Sea platform (www.caresea.oe.kr).
While businesses, organizations and schools can apply to adopt beaches, individual participation is not currently viable due to challenges in creating content such as campaigns and organizing regular cleanup activities. The participation period for beach adoption is two years.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
