Hwalok Cave in Chungju 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 responsibilities.
The Korea Forest Service has ordered the restoration of the cave’s unauthorized occupation of national forest land, but no action has been taken yet.
The Central Regional Forest Service is operating a ‘visiting agricultural waste collection and shredding support team’ to reduce wildfire risks and ease the burden on farmers.
This initiative is a collaboration between the Forest Service, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and local governments, aimed at reducing wildfires caused by illegal burning of agricultural waste.
The Central Regional Forest Service expects this support project to contribute to wildfire prevention, reduction of fine dust, 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 lanes for foreign businesses and listened to improvement suggestions.
Attending organizations included the Korea Economic Association, Korea Federation of SMEs, and Korea Employers Federation.
The Ministry of Justice will operate additional global startup immigration centers in Chungcheongbuk-do and Busan to support capable foreigners wishing to start businesses in Korea.
The centers will be located at Chungbuk Bio-San Industrial Convergence Center and Busan Technology Startup Investment Center.
This initiative is expected to boost foreign entrepreneurship outside the metropolitan area.
The Social Reform Committee held its launch and policy forum at the National Assembly Museum.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced the establishment of an official communication platform for discussing reform tasks among civil society, political parties, and the government.
The committee plans to identify reform tasks through various online and offline events and hold national reporting conferences.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor held a nationwide meeting of directors on December 15.
Minister Kim Young-hoon emphasized that 2026 should be a year where citizens feel the change.
He instructed employers and workers to comply with three basic safety rules.