Ulsan Fully Promotes the Operation of Human Rights Education in 2026

From the Public Sector to Citizens... Spurring the Realization of Human Rights-Friendly Administration

Ulsan Metropolitan City announced that it has established and will fully promote the “2026 Human Rights Education Operation Plan” targeting about 92,000 people annually, including public officials, public institution and welfare facility workers, and citizens, to realize a human rights city where human rights become a part of daily life.

This plan was prepared with a focus on strengthening systematic human rights education so that the public sector can lead the realization of a human rights city, amid the continuous emphasis on the importance of human rights protection.

In particular, along with the government’s human rights policy (123 National Tasks (National Administration 8): Implementation task to realize “An Advanced Human Rights Country Where Everyone’s Dignity and Rights Are Guaranteed”), the city plans to strengthen the human rights capabilities of the public sector and promote the spread of a citizen-participatory human rights culture in accordance with the “3rd Ulsan Metropolitan City Basic Plan for the Promotion of Human Rights (2026–2030)” and the “2026 Human Rights Promotion Implementation Plan.”

Ulsan Metropolitan Government has set three major directions: Institutional-level human rights education, Experience-centered education in everyday spaces, and Vitalization of citizen human rights education and enhancement of instructors’ capabilities.

First, it seeks to realize human rights administration by operating customized job-linked education to protect the rights of the socially weak, such as women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. It plans to promote visiting elderly abuse prevention and elderly human rights education, training of instructors for disability awareness improvement and human rights education for the disabled, human rights education for community rehabilitation facilities for the disabled, and gender equality education in the public sector.

Also, to enable citizens to experience human rights in their daily lives, life-oriented case-based programs and field experience-type education will be expanded. The city plans to broaden participation opportunities through life gatekeeper training and suicide prevention education, visiting violence prevention education, expansion of human rights education for local residents, and special lectures on human rights sensitivity for citizen participation.

Furthermore, it will systematically provide customized education by field by strengthening the capabilities of professional human rights education instructors and build a stable foundation for human rights education. It plans to strengthen field-centered education by operating visiting education for the human rights guardian groups of residential facilities for the people with disability and visiting human rights education.

Ulsan Metropolitan Government plans to operate these year-round in various ways, including group education, cyber education, visiting education, workshops, and cultural events. The target audience for the education broadly includes public officials, public institution and welfare facility workers, as well as general citizens.

A city official stated, “By operating various educational courses to spread universal awareness of human rights, we will raise the human rights sensitivity of the public sector as well as the general citizenry, and create a human rights-friendly Ulsan where human rights are a part of daily life.” End.

Ulsan Conducts Infectious Disease Response Capacity Building Training

On the 17th, Targeting Infectious Disease Response Team Leaders at City, District, and County Health Centers

Ulsan Metropolitan City announced that, together with the Infectious Disease Control Support Group, it will hold the ‘2026 Field Epidemiology Training Program-Frontline (FETP-F) Team Leader Course’ at the small banquet hall on the 2nd floor of the Lotte City Hotel Ulsan at 9:00 AM on April 17.

This training was arranged to strengthen prompt and active response capabilities in the event of a public health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

It focuses on the infectious disease crisis management system and response strategies, case analysis of responses to new and re-emerging infectious diseases, decision-making and leadership strengthening training in crisis situations, and building cooperation and communication systems between institutions.

The training on this day will be conducted by inviting infectious disease experts for 6 infectious disease response team leaders from Ulsan, its districts, and counties.

The main contents include epidemiological investigation and case education on waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases, and epidemiological investigation and case education on infectious diseases of unknown causes. In addition, a speech lecture to improve the dignity of conversation and delivery skills will also be held to enhance the communication capabilities of team leaders.

A city official said, “In responding to infectious diseases, team leaders play a core role in connecting the field with policies,” adding, “We expect this training to further strengthen the crisis response capabilities of team leaders and enable a swifter and more systematic response in the event of future infectious disease outbreaks.”

Meanwhile, Ulsan Metropolitan Government and the Ulsan Center for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention plan to continue expanding and operating customized training courses for different target groups to strengthen infectious disease response capabilities in the future. End.

Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment

Full-Scale Promotion of Surveillance on Infectious Disease-Carrying Ticks and Pathogens

Joint Operation of Regional Climate Change Vector Surveillance Center with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

The Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment announced that it will carry out the “Infectious Disease-Carrying Tick and Pathogen Surveillance Project” from this month, when tick activity increases, until November.

This project aims to respond preemptively to changes in vector distribution caused by climate change and is being conducted as part of the “Regional Climate Change Vector Surveillance Center” project in collaboration with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

The subjects of the investigation are Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis flava, and Ixodes nipponensis, which transmit Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) and Lyme disease.

The institute plans to collect ticks monthly in the Singi-ri area of Ulju-gun, classify the species, and verify pathogen infection through genetic analysis.

It also systematically investigates vector changes caused by climate change by analyzing monthly occurrence trends and distribution by environment (grassland, gravesites, thickets, mountain trails). The investigation results will be published monthly on the institute’s website (www.ulsan.go.kr).

Shim Min-ryeong, Director of the Health and Environment Research Institute, stated, “As tick habitats and activity periods are changing due to climate change, systematic surveillance is important,” adding, “We will strive to protect citizens’ health by strengthening a scientific evidence-based surveillance system in cooperation with the KDCA.”

Meanwhile, hard ticks primarily inhabit areas with thick bushes and have the habit of attaching to people or animals as they pass by to suck blood. Accordingly, to prevent SFTS and Lyme disease, personal hygiene rules must be strictly followed, such as minimizing skin exposure by wearing long sleeves and long pants during outdoor activities, and thoroughly checking the entire body for attached ticks after returning home. End.

Ulsan Nambu Fire Station Women’s Volunteer Fire Brigade

Safety Experience Center Training to Improve On-Site Support Capabilities

Ulsan Nambu Fire Station announced that about 40 members of the Women’s Volunteer Fire Brigade will visit the Ulsan Safety Experience Center in Jeongja-dong, Buk-gu, at 3 PM on April 17 to receive training to strengthen local safety capabilities.

This training was arranged to improve response capabilities to various disaster situations and to strengthen practical safety coping skills through field-centered hands-on education.

The main training contents include fire safety education, such as initial response methods during a fire, how to use fire extinguishers and fire hydrants, and evacuation procedures, along with traffic safety rules to prevent traffic accidents and action guidelines in the event of an accident.

In addition, the brigade members’ understanding was enhanced by conducting response drills assuming real-life situations through experiential programs.

An official from the Nambu Fire Station said, “This Safety Experience Center training served as an opportunity to further strengthen the disaster response capabilities of the Women’s Volunteer Fire Brigade members,” adding, “We will actively support them so that they can faithfully fulfill their roles as local safety guardians through continuous education and training in the future.” End.

Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment

Q1 Food Radioactivity Test Results “All Undetected”

146 Cases of Seafood, Agricultural Products, and Processed Foods Tested... Confirming the Safety of Citizens’ Food

The Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment announced that as a result of the food radioactivity safety tests in the first quarter of this year, no radioactivity was detected in any of the items tested, confirming that all met the standards.

This testing was carried out to respond to citizens’ ongoing food safety concerns since the release of contaminated water from the Japanese nuclear power plant in August 2023 and to create a safe food distribution environment.

The institute conducted tests for Iodine (131I) and Cesium (134Cs, 137Cs) on food produced and distributed within the jurisdiction from January to March this year.

The test subjects totaled 146 items, consisting of 127 seafood products (87.0%), 11 processed foods (7.5%), and 8 agricultural products (5.5%), focusing on items with a high consumption rate among citizens.

Major tested items included frequently consumed seafood such as flatfish (33 cases), monkfish (15 cases), seaweed (12 cases), mackerel (11 cases), and yellow croaker (6 cases), as well as major fish species like cod, cutlassfish, and pomfret. In addition, radioactivity tests were conducted on dried seafood such as laver and anchovies, along with processed grain products like frying powder and pancake powder.

As a result of the test, neither iodine nor cesium was detected in any of the 146 subjects investigated, resulting in a standard-compliant verdict.

In particular, the tests were focused on foods closely related to citizens’ daily lives, such as seafood distributed at agricultural and marine products wholesale markets and ingredients for school meals, thereby securing a highly tangible safety management effect.

An official from the institute stated, “The first-quarter test results confirmed the radioactive safety of foods generally consumed by citizens on a daily basis,” adding, “We will continue to strive to relieve citizens’ anxiety and create a safe food environment through regular quarterly inspections and continuous monitoring in the future.” End.

Ulsan Nam-Ulju Fire Station

Production and Distribution of Fire Safety Guidebook

Ulsan Nam-Ulju Fire Station announced that it has produced and is distributing a lifestyle-oriented fire safety guidebook (“Safety Life”) so that citizens can easily learn fire prevention and response methods in their daily lives.

This guidebook was produced as a comprehensive booklet bundling various fire prevention promotional materials and safety information, and is structured so that citizens can find necessary safety information at a glance in urgent and emergency situations.

The main contents include practical safety guidelines such as evacuation action tips in case of fire in apartments and workplaces, proper electricity use and fire prevention in electric vehicle charging zones, fire prevention in restaurant kitchens and construction sites, how to use descending life lines, fire extinguishers, and fire hydrants, and CPR, and seasonal (spring, summer, winter) fire prevention rules.

In particular, some items, such as workplace evacuation tips, are written in foreign languages (English, Chinese, Nepali, Khmer) alongside Korean to increase accessibility for multicultural families and foreign workers.

The biggest feature of this guidebook is its connectivity, allowing users to find safety information more easily and quickly using smart devices.

On the back of the booklet, QR codes are inserted to allow immediate video viewing of major safety rules such as how to use fire extinguishers and hydrants, AEDs and CPR, descending life lines, and fire evacuation tips, enabling people to learn how to use fire facilities through vivid videos, which can be difficult to understand with text alone.

At the bottom of the back of the booklet, a QR code to join the official Naver Band of the Nam-Ulju Fire Station is also placed, providing a channel for Ulju-gun residents to receive more fire-related news in real time and communicate.

An official from the Nam-Ulju Fire Station said, “We hope this QR code-linked fire safety guidebook booklet will be of great help in raising citizens’ fire safety awareness and strengthening response capabilities in the event of an emergency,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to spread a culture of safety through customized promotion using QR codes and social media.”

End.

“The Earth is in the midst of a great green transformation. Connecting the world through carbon-neutral practices.”

Operation of “2026 Climate Change Week” from the 20th to the 24th to commemorate Earth Day

Various events including commemorative ceremonies, lights-out events, and Climate Change Week daily missions

Ulsan City announced that it will operate “2026 Climate Change Week” from April 20 to 24 to mark the 56th Earth Day (April 22).

This year’s Earth Day slogan (message) is “The Earth is in the midst of a great green transformation. Connecting the world through carbon-neutral practices.” This slogan signifies that the whole world is changing together through carbon-neutral practices.

Looking at the main events of Climate Change Week,

The Ulsan Council for Sustainable Development will hold an “Earth Day” commemorative ceremony on the outdoor stage of Giant Pussy Willow Square in the Taehwagang National Garden at 3 PM on April 22, with about 300 citizens and environmental group members in attendance.

Ulsan and its districts/counties will hold a “Nationwide Lights-out Event” for 10 minutes starting at 8 PM on April 22, turning off lights at government offices like City Hall and district/county offices, as well as Ulsan’s representative landmarks such as Taehwaru Pavilion, Hamwollu Pavilion, Simnidaebatgyo Bridge, and Ulsandaegyo Observatory.

Various online events for Climate Change Week have also been prepared. From April 20 to 24, activities such as certification of participation in Climate Change Week daily missions with the Ulsan Environment Hero app, carbon-neutral practice quizzes, and carbon-neutral practice declarations will be held.

Also, on April 22, Climate Change Week promotional activities will be carried out around Daewangam Park in Dong-gu and Ulsan Forest in Buk-gu, with the participation of the Green Leader Dong-gu and Buk-gu Councils.

A city official said, “We hope that Climate Change Week and Earth Day will serve as an opportunity to increase understanding of climate change and to find and practice ways to achieve carbon neutrality, even a little bit, in our daily lives.”

Meanwhile, “Earth Day” originated from a commemorative event held to raise awareness of the severity of environmental pollution following an offshore oil spill in California, USA, in 1969.

In Korea, the week surrounding “Earth Day” has been designated as “Climate Change Week” since 2009, conducting a pan-national carbon-neutral practice participation campaign to recognize the seriousness of climate change and reduce greenhouse gases. End.

Ulsan Promotes “2026 Zero-Emission Construction Equipment Supply Project”

KRW 140 million project budget invested... 2 electric excavators, 10 electric forklifts

Maximum support of 20 million KRW for electric excavators and 8.8 million KRW for electric forklifts

Ulsan Metropolitan City announced that it will promote the 2026 Zero-Emission Construction Equipment Supply Project starting April 20 to create a pleasant atmospheric environment.

The scale of the project is 12 zero-emission construction machines. Buyers of electric excavators (2 units) and electric forklifts (10 units) will be supported with up to KRW 20 million and KRW 8.8 million, respectively.

In particular, this year Ulsan Metropolitan Government secured a total of KRW 140 million (KRW 70 million each in state and city expenses), including electric forklifts in addition to electric excavators as project targets.

The construction equipment eligible for support is equipment registered under the Construction Machinery Management Act and are models from manufacturers/importers selected by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.

Citizens who have had an address in Ulsan for at least 60 days as of the application date, or corporations and enterprises with workplaces in Ulsan, can apply.

To apply, the buyer signs a contract with the zero-emission construction equipment manufacturer/importer, and the manufacturer/importer submits the application to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment’s integrated zero-emission vehicle website (www.ev.or.kr).

For other details, inquire with the Environmental Air Quality Division of Ulsan Metropolitan Government (☎052-229-3192) or check the notices and announcements section on the Ulsan website (www.ulsan.go.kr).

A city official stated, “Construction equipment is an area where electrification is essential due to high pollutant emissions,” urging, “We ask for active participation from citizens to create a pleasant atmospheric environment.”

Meanwhile, Ulsan Metropolitan Government has provided KRW 223 million in subsidies for 11 electric excavators from 2022 to last year to expand the supply of eco-friendly construction equipment. End.

Ulsan Conducts Training to Strengthen Integrated Care and Crisis Household Identification & Connection

Targeting a total of 740 employees from the city, districts/counties, and eup/myeon/dong on the 20th and 21st

Supplementing application-based systems, preemptive identification and swift connection... Field response practical-focused training

Ulsan Metropolitan City announced that it will hold “Capacity Building Training for Social Welfare Staff to Implement 2026 Integrated Care and Strengthen Crisis Household Identification & Connection” at the main hall on the 2nd floor of City Hall for two days from April 20 to 21.

This training was arranged to implement integrated care, preemptively identify crisis households to supplement the application-based welfare system, and swiftly and efficiently connect welfare support and services.

The training will be held in three sessions for a total of 740 employees in charge of social welfare in Ulsan, 5 districts/counties, and 55 eup/myeon/dong.

The main contents focus on strengthening field execution capabilities for the implementation of integrated care and handling crisis households, and the training consists mainly of practical cases of field response for the identification and intervention of crisis households.

A city official stated, “Recently, the anxiety of vulnerable groups is deepening due to cases of crisis households in Ulju-gun, Imsil-gun, and Gunsan, as well as international instability and economic crises,” adding, “Through this capacity-building training, we will raise the field response capabilities of social welfare staff to identify crisis households and respond to complex crises in an integrated manner.” They added, “We will build a recovery-centered crisis household support system, not just a one-time, short-term support.” End.

Making Ulsan Safe for Citizens

Ulsan Conducts “2026 Intensive Safety Inspection”

Until June 19th, targeting 463 disaster-vulnerable facilities

Ulsan Metropolitan City announced that it will conduct the “2026 Intensive Safety Inspection” on 463 disaster-vulnerable facilities in the region for two months from April 20 to June 19.

The “Intensive Safety Inspection” has been conducted annually since 2015 for the government, local governments, and citizens to jointly inspect facilities with concerns about disasters and accidents or high public interest, and to identify and improve risk factors.

This year, considering disaster-related media reports, analysis of major accidents, and institutional vulnerabilities, inspection targets were selected based on the 20 types of facilities designated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and facilities delegated by central ministries, taking into account the degree of aging, accident risk, and the presence of safety facilities.

Accordingly, Ulsan Metropolitan Government will conduct intensive inspections on a total of 463 locations, including 340 essential inspection facilities for local governments such as industrial complexes (factories), hazardous chemical handling facilities, multi-use facilities, and nursing facilities, and 123 central-delegated facilities. In particular, mechanical parking lots and logistics warehouses were added as new facility types for this inspection.

The safety inspection is conducted as a “joint public-private inspection” by forming a human resource pool of 128 private experts in fields such as facilities, fire fighting, electricity, and industrial safety, including members of the Ulsan Metropolitan Government and district/county Safety Management Advisory Groups, public corporations/corporations, and technician associations.

As a result of the inspection, minor issues will be corrected immediately on-site, and for major defects, urgent safety measures such as reinforcement, prohibition of use, or demolition will be implemented depending on the degree of risk.

A city official stated, “Through this safety inspection, we will do our best to make Ulsan a safe city for citizens,” urging, “We hope citizens will also actively participate in voluntary safety inspections.”

Meanwhile, to expand citizen participation, Ulsan City distributes “Voluntary Safety Inspection Checklist” and operates a “Resident Inspection Application System” where citizens can directly apply for facility inspections. Applications can be submitted until April 30 by visiting the eup/myeon/dong administrative welfare center or through the Safety Sinmungo app/portal site. End.

Ulsan

“Let’s Protect the Bamboo Forest in Taehwagang National Garden Together”

Operation of the “Bamboo Shoot Guardian Volunteer Group in Simni Bamboo Forest” until the end of June

Monitoring of gathering and damaging garden plants and bamboo shoots... Requesting citizens’ cooperation

Ulsan Metropolitan City announced that it will promote bamboo shoot protection activities to preserve the healthy ecological environment of the bamboo forest within the Taehwagang National Garden.

This activity will be conducted from April 20 to June 30. The “Bamboo Shoot Guardian Volunteer Group,” composed of members of the Simni Bamboo Forest Guardian Volunteer Association, will participate.

The volunteer group will carry out on-site guidance and educational activities to prevent the unauthorized gathering and damaging of bamboo shoots and garden plants within the bamboo forest. In particular, they plan to strengthen protection activities through intensive patrols during the evening and early morning hours.

The bamboo forest in the Taehwagang National Garden spans the Taehwa District (110,000 ㎡) and the Samho District (155,000 ㎡), where various types of bamboo grow, including Wangdae (giant timber bamboo), Maengjongjuk (Moso bamboo), Ojuk (black bamboo), and Gugapjuk (tortoise-shell bamboo). In particular, bamboo shoots grow intensively between April and June, and are first observed in the Maengjongjuk colony near the Hoes·Oudolf Ulsan Garden.

Ulsan Metropolitan Government plans to continue its guidance and patrol activities this year not only to protect bamboo shoots but also to protect garden plants within the Hoes·Oudolf Ulsan Garden.

A city official stated, “We hope that citizens visiting the Taehwagang National Garden will also actively participate in carefully protecting the bamboo shoots and garden plants,” adding, “A little interest and consideration will be a great strength in protecting our beautiful garden.” End.

Yaksa-dong Embankment Exhibition Hall, Group Education for Young Children

“Dong Dong! Operation of Yaksa-dong Children’s Nongakdae!”

Understanding the embankment and Nongak, learning the “Byeoldalgeori” rhythm, etc.

First-come, first-served recruitment from April 20 to May 1

The Ulsan Yaksa-dong Embankment Exhibition Hall announced that, in celebration of Museum Week, it will operate a traditional culture experience program, “Dong Dong! Yaksa-dong Children’s Nongakdae!” for children from local daycare centers and kindergartens.

This education program is designed to help children naturally understand Nongak, which historically brought people together, by unraveling Korea’s agricultural culture and folk arts through experiential activities alongside a guided tour of the exhibition hall.

Detailed programs include learning the Yeongnam Nongak rhythm “Byeoldalgeori” by slapping the knees and playing “Byeoldalgeori” with a sogo (small hand drum).

The education will be held a total of 5 times from May 11 to May 29, every Monday and Friday from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM on the 2nd floor of the Yaksa-dong Embankment Exhibition Hall.

The target participants are groups of 5 to 7-year-old children from daycare centers and kindergartens in the Ulsan region, with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 children participating per session. The participation fee is free.

Applications for participation will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through the “Ulsan Moa Integrated Reservation” website (ulsan.go.kr/y/yes/) from 10:00 AM on April 20 to 5:00 PM on May 1.

An official from the exhibition hall said, “In line with this year’s common theme for Museum Week, “Museums Uniting a Divided World,” this program was designed so that children can learn about community and harmony through Nongak and experience our traditional rhythms firsthand.”

For further details, visit the “Yaksa-dong Embankment Exhibition Hall” section on the Ulsan Museum website (www.ulsan.go.kr/s/museum) or inquire by phone (☎052-229-4728).

End.

Ulsan Joongbu Fire Station

Promoting a Tour of the Special Response Team for the Fire Safety Public Relations Council

Spreading Fire Safety Culture in the Local Community and Strengthening the Council’s Role

The Ulsan Jungbu Fire Station announced that about 10 members of the Fire Safety Public Relations Council will go on a tour of the Ulsan Fire Headquarters Special Response Team at 2:00 PM on April 20.

This tour was arranged to spread fire safety culture in the local community and strengthen the role of the Fire Safety Public Relations Council.

The main contents include an introduction to the major missions and high-tech equipment of the Special Response Team, demonstrations and hands-on experiences of firefighting equipment such as large-capacity drainage pump trucks and underwater drones, the experience of wearing Level A protective suits, a tour of the training center facilities, observation of international port response training, and encouraging the trainees.

An official from the Jungbu Fire Station stated, “Through this visit to the Special Response Team, we expect the council members to experience firsthand the expertise and response capabilities of the fire service, thereby playing a more active role in spreading a culture of safety in the local community.”

Meanwhile, the Jungbu Fire Station plans to continue striving to establish a voluntary safety culture while raising citizens’ safety awareness through various experiential programs based on public-private cooperation. End.