Hampyeong-gun in South Jeolla Province has been recognized as one of the nation's top local governments for environmental management, finishing third among 245 municipalities nationwide.
Hampyeong-gun, part of the proposed South Jeolla-Gwangju integrated special city, has been named an outstanding local government for its systematic oversight of pollutant-emitting businesses and proactive environmental administration.
The county announced Thursday that it placed third among all basic local governments nationwide in the Ministry of Interior and Safety's "2026 Joint Evaluation of Local Government Environmental Management of Pollutant-Emitting Businesses."
The evaluation covered 245 local governments and was designed to encourage voluntary management of pollutant-emitting facilities and strengthen environmental administrative capacity.
Scores were calculated based on facility inspection rates and violation rates, with bonus points added for pollution testing, technical support, education and other categories.
Hampyeong-gun achieved a 100 percent facility inspection rate, earning high marks for thorough compliance, while recording a violation rate of 30 percent — a result the county described as a stable performance in managing pollutant-emitting businesses.
"This achievement reflects the joint efforts of local businesses and the county administration to create a cleaner environment," county chief Lee Nam-o said. "We will continue to prevent environmental pollution through rigorous management of emitting facilities and proactive environmental administration, building a comfortable living environment where residents can feel safe."
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