Korea Zinc has established a public-private-social enterprise cooperation framework to preserve biodiversity in the Ulsan region and restore endangered insect species.
Korea Zinc announced on the 29th that it recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on "Endangered Insect Restoration and Biodiversity Enhancement" with the National Institute of Ecology and the social enterprise Small Friends in the Forest at its Onsan Smelter in Ulju-gun, Ulsan.
Through this agreement, the three organizations agreed to cooperate across the entire restoration project, including the distribution of endangered insect specimens, the exchange of breeding techniques, mass propagation, and joint reintroduction. They also plan to jointly develop and operate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) cooperation programs to spread ecological values.
The main target species of this restoration project are the giant water bug and the anchor-patterned tiger beetle. Korea Zinc donated 50 million won to support the project. The donation will be used for restoring giant water bug habitats in the Ulsan region, releasing artificially bred populations, and providing ecological education for employees and citizens. The funds will also be used for transferring artificial breeding technology for the anchor-patterned tiger beetle to the social enterprise, creating breeding environments, filing patents on artificial breeding technology, and producing technical manuals.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen the foundation for conserving endangered insects by linking the National Institute of Ecology's specialized restoration technology and research capabilities with Small Friends in the Forest's on-site execution capabilities.
Korea Zinc has carried out various environmental social contribution activities, including ocean conservation, companion beach cleanup, ecological preservation volunteering, and environmental education for children and adolescents. Notably, last year, marking its 50th anniversary, the company participated in the "Carbon-Neutral Culture and Arts Project Bada Sseugi" and conducted beachcombing volunteer activities with elementary school students in the Ulsan region to collect debris and trash from beaches.
Korea Zinc plans to use this MOU as a starting point to expand its environmental social contribution activities linked to the Ulsan community in earnest into the areas of ecosystem restoration and biodiversity enhancement.
Park Sung-woong, head of the Management Support Division at Korea Zinc's Onsan Smelter, said, "Biodiversity is a precious value that must be protected for future generations, and companies must also fulfill their responsibility and role in this regard." He added, "We will continue our efforts to make practical contributions to endangered insect restoration and biodiversity conservation based on our cooperation with the National Institute of Ecology and Small Friends in the Forest."
