Chungju Hwalok Cave is at the center of controversy due to the absence of a safety management authority and unauthorized occupation.
Chungju City and the Central Mine Safety Office are blaming each other for the cave’s safety management, while the Korea Forest Service has issued a restoration order for unauthorized occupation of national forest land.
This issue was also raised in the National Assembly audit, highlighting the need for legal institutionalization to clarify safety management responsibilities.

The Central Regional Forest Service is operating a ‘visiting agricultural waste collection and crushing support team’ to reduce wildfire risks and alleviate farmers’ disposal burdens.
The support team is a collaborative project by the Forest Service, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and local governments to reduce wildfires caused by illegal burning of agricultural waste.
The Central Regional Forest Service expects this support project to contribute to wildfire prevention, fine dust reduction, and carbon neutrality.

The Ministry of Justice held a meeting with major economic organizations on December 15.
The meeting shared the performance of the exclusive screening desk for foreign companies and listened to improvement suggestions.
Attending organizations included the Korea Economic Association, Korea Federation of SMEs, and other major economic groups.

The Ministry of Justice will add two Global Startup Immigration Centers in Chungcheongbuk-do and Busan to support capable foreign entrepreneurs.
The new centers will be located at Chungbuk Bio-Industry Foundation and Busan Technology Startup Investment Foundation.
This initiative aims to promote foreign entrepreneurship nationwide, beyond the capital region.

The Social Reform Committee held a policy forum at the National Assembly Museum to establish reform tasks.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok emphasized that an official communication platform for discussing reform tasks among civil society, political parties, and the government has been established.
The committee plans to discover reform tasks through various online and offline events and hold a national report meeting.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor held a nationwide meeting on December 15 to review the implementation system of the 2026 action plan.
Minister Kim Young-hoon emphasized resolving issues like industrial accidents, wage arrears, and youth problems.
The ministry plans to continuously manage the progress of tasks through quarterly meetings and occasional inspections.