ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROMOTION ACT
Act No. 8949, Mar. 21, 2008
Amended by Act No. 10893, Jul. 21, 2011
Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013
Act No. 12844, Nov. 19, 2014
Act No. 13173, Feb. 3, 2015
Act No. 14746, Mar. 21, 2017
Act No. 14839, Jul. 26, 2017
Act No. 15199, Dec. 12, 2017
The purpose of this Act is to vitalize environmental education by providing for matters necessary for the promotion of environmental education and contribute to the sustainable development of the nation and local communities by achieving harmony between human beings and nature.
The definitions of terms used in this Act shall be as follows: <Amended by Act No. 15199, Dec. 12, 2017>
| 1. | The term "environmental education" means education to help the nation cultivate knowledge, capacity, attitudes, values, etc. necessary for preserving and improving the environment and putting such knowledge, etc. into practice, with the purpose of contributing to the sustainable development of the State and the local communities; |
| 2. | The term "environmental education in schools" means environmental education provided to students in any of the following schools or corporations: |
| 3. | The term "non-formal environmental education" means environmental education other than environmental education in schools. |
| Article 3 (Relationship with other Acts) |
Matters concerning the education and utilization of forest guides under the Forestry Culture and Recreation Act and the certification of forestry culture or recreation education programs shall be governed by the relevant Acts.
| (1) | The State and each local government shall formulate and implement policies for the vitalization of environmental education and support activities related thereto in the private sector. |
| (2) | Business entities shall endeavor to provide environmental education necessary to the improvement of environmental knowledge and capacity related to their operations. |
| (3) | The people of the nation shall actively take part in and cooperate in policies on environmental education implemented by the State and each local government for environmental conservation and sustainable development. |
| Article 5 (Formulation of Comprehensive Plans on Environmental Education) |
| (1) | The Minister of Environment shall formulate comprehensive plans on environmental education (hereinafter referred to as "comprehensive plans") every five years, subject to deliberation by the Environmental Education Promotion Committee under Article 7, in consultation with the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies, including the Minister of Education and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries. <Amended by Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013> |
| (2) | Comprehensive plans shall include the following matters: |
| 1. | Objectives and direction-setting for environmental education; |
| 2. | Establishment of the basis for the vitalization of environmental education; |
| 3. | Training of and support for human resources specializing in environmental education; |
| 4. | Development and distribution of materials on environmental education; |
| 5. | Measures to procure financial resources in accordance with the comprehensive plans; |
| 6. | Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree for the promotion of environmental education. |
| (3) | The Minister of Environment may revise the comprehensive plans by applying mutatis mutandis procedures for the formulation of comprehensive plans, when it is deemed necessary to revise such plans: Provided, That deliberations by the Environmental Education Promotion Committee under Article 7 may be omitted where insignificant matters prescribed by Presidential Decree are revised. |
| (4) | The Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Do Governor, or the Governor of the Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as the "Mayor/Do Governor") shall formulate plans on regional environmental education (hereinafter referred to as "regional plans") every five years, in consideration of the details of the comprehensive plans and the conditions of the relevant regions. |
| (5) | The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall formulate plans related to the areas of maritime environment and may request the Minister of Environment to reflect such plans in the comprehensive plans. <Amended by Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013> |
| Article 6 (Implementation of Comprehensive Plans on Environmental Education) |
| (1) | The Minister of Environment or the Mayor/Do Governor may notify the heads of related institutions of the comprehensive plans or regional plans formulated under Article 5 and request them to reflect such plans in the operations under their jurisdiction. |
| (2) | Other necessary matters for the implementation of the comprehensive plans and regional plans shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 7 (Establishment and Operation of Environmental Education Promotion Committee) |
| (1) | The Environmental Education Promotion Committee (hereinafter referred to as "the Committee") shall be established under the control of the Minister of Environment, so as to deliberate on the following matters concerning environmental education: |
| 1. | Deliberation on comprehensive plans; |
| 2. | Matters concerning the promotion and support of environmental education; |
| 3. | Matters concerning projects to train and support specialized human resources; |
| 4. | Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (2) | The Committee shall be made up of not more than 20 members, including Chairpersons. |
| (3) | The Chairpersons of the Committee shall be both the Minister of Environment and a civilian member elected by and from among the members of the Committee; and its members shall be appointed or commissioned by the Chairpersons, from among public officials belonging to the relevant central administrative agencies and persons with extensive knowledge of and experience in environmental education. |
| (4) | Necessary matters concerning the composition, operation, etc. of the Committee shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 8 (Requests for Cooperation from Public Institutions) |
| (1) | The heads of central administrative agencies and the heads of local governments may request the cooperation of the heads of other central administrative agencies, local governments, and public institutions designated under Articles 4 through 6 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions when it is necessary for formulating and implementing the comprehensive plans or regional plans. |
| (2) | A person who receives a request for cooperation under paragraph (1) shall comply with such request in the absence of special circumstances. |
| Article 9 (Support for Environmental Education in Schools) |
| (1) | The Minister of Environment may provide support for the following matters concerning environmental education in schools, in consultation with the Minister of Education: <Amended by Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013> |
| 3. | Matters concerning the development and distribution of materials on environmental education in schools; |
| 4. | Matters concerning the vitalization of experience-oriented environmental education; |
| 5. | Other necessary matters concerning the vitalization of environmental education in schools. |
| (2) | The Minister of Environment may request the Minister of Education to reflect the basic details of environmental education in the educational activities of schools, and the Minister of Education shall, upon receiving such request, endeavor to reflect such details. |
| (3) | The Minister of Environment may recommend the following matters to schools or corporations under subparagraph 2 (c) and (d) of Article 2, in consultation with the Minister of Education and the Minister of Science and ICT, for the vitalization of environmental education: <Amended by Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013; Act No. 12844, Nov. 19, 2014; Act No. 14839, Jul. 26, 2017; Act No. 15199, Dec. 12, 2017> |
| 1. | Studies for the development of policies and teaching materials related to environmental education; |
| 2. | Studies for the sustainable development of the State and the distribution of the results thereof; |
| 3. | Other necessary matters for the promotion of environmental education. |
| (4) | With regard to providing maritime environmental education supported by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis. <Amended by Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013> |
| Article 10 (Promotion of Non-Formal Environmental Education) |
The State and each local government shall implement the following policies in an effort to promote non-formal environmental education:
| 1. | Development and distribution of teaching materials on non-formal environmental education; |
| 2. | Environmental education in national institutions, military camps, businesses, and social organizations; |
| 3. | Training and utilization of human resources specializing in environmental education; |
| 4. | Support for environmental education provided by non-formal environmental education institutions; |
| 5. | Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree for the promotion of non-formal environmental education. |
| Article 11 (Non-Formal Environmental Education Educators) |
| (1) | The heads of training institutions for non-formal environmental education educators under Article 12 may qualify some persons, from among persons who have completed the curriculum, as non-formal environmental education educators, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (2) | None of the following persons shall be a non-formal environmental education educator: <Amended by Act No. 13173, Feb. 3, 2015> |
| 1. | A person under adult guardianship or a person under limited guardianship; |
| 2. | A person who has been sentenced to imprisonment without labor or a heavier punishment and for whom the execution of such punishment is terminated or for whom two years has not elapsed since the final judgment is rendered that the punishment on him/her would not be executed; |
| 3. | A person who has been sentenced to imprisonment without labor or heavier punishment and for whom the period of suspended execution of such punishment has not expired; |
| 4. | Any person whose qualifications have been lost or suspended in accordance with Acts or judgements of the court. |
| (3) | Non-formal environmental education educators shall plan, carry on, analyze, and evaluate environmental education programs and provide environmental education. |
| (4) | The State or each local government may utilize non-formal environmental education educators in order to provide systemic environmental education to the nation. |
| Article 12 (Training Institutions for Non-formal Environmental Education Educators) |
The Minister of Environment may designate environmental education institutions, such as national or public educational facilities or non-formal environmental education institutions, as training institutions for non-formal environmental education educators, as prescribed by Presidential Decree: Provided, That the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may designate such institutions in regard to the maritime environment. <Amended by Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013>
| Article 13 (Development, Distribution, and Certification of Environmental Education Programs) |
| (1) | The State and each local government shall develop and distribute environmental education programs, so as to provide various opportunities in environmental education to the nation. |
| (2) | A person who is developing or operating environmental education programs or who intends to do so may apply for certification to the Minister of Environment: Provided, That such application may be made through the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries in the area of maritime environment. <Amended by Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013> |
| (3) | Regarding applications for certification of environmental education programs, the Minister of Environment shall certify such programs subject to the examination of the Environmental Education Program Certification Examination Committee. |
| (4) | The term of validity for certification under paragraph (3) shall be three years from the date on which certification was obtained. |
| (5) | A person who obtains certification under paragraph (3) may indicate the certification in the environmental education program concerned, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment. |
| (6) | No one shall indicate certification in environmental education programs who fails to obtain certification under paragraph (3), or display similar indications; |
| (7) | Necessary matters concerning standards, procedures, and methods for the certification of environmental education programs shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment. |
| Article 14 (Environmental Education Program Certification Examination Committee) |
| (1) | The Environmental Education Program Certification Examination Committee shall be established within the Minister of Environment for the examination of certification under Article 13 (3). |
| (2) | The Environmental Education Program Certification Examination Committee shall be made up of not more than 10 members, including one Chairperson. |
| (3) | The composition and operation of the Environmental Education Program Certification Examination Committee and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment. |
| Article 15 (Revoking Certification of Environmental Education Programs) |
| (1) | Where environmental education programs certified under Article 13 (3) have obtained certification by fraud or other wrongful means, the Minister of Environment shall revoke such certification. |
| (2) | Where environmental education programs certified under Article 13 (3) fall short of certification standards under Article 13 (7), the Minister of Environment may revoke the certification. |
| Article 16 (Designation of Environmental Education Center) |
| (1) | The Minister of Environment may designate environmental education centers, so as to promote the following projects necessary for the vitalization of environmental education: Provided, That the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may designate such centers in the area of maritime environmental education: <Amended by Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013> |
| 1. | Development and distribution of teaching materials on environmental education; |
| 2. | Training and utilization of human resources specializing in environmental education; |
| 3. | Support for environmental education provided by environmental education institutions; |
| 4. | Other projects prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment for the promotion of environmental education. |
| (2) | The Mayor/Do Governor may designate a regional environmental education center for the efficient support for regional environmental education. |
| (3) | Requirements for the designation of environmental education centers and regional environmental education centers, the support therefor, and necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 17 (Subsidizing Expenses) |
The State and each local government may fully or partially subsidize necessary expenses of institutions or organizations providing environmental education within budgetary limits.
| Article 18 (Delegation or Entrustment of Authority) |
The Minister of Environment and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may delegate or entrust a part of the Minister's duties under this Act to the following institutions or organizations, as prescribed by Presidential Decree: <Amended by Act No. 10893, Jul. 21, 2011; Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013; Act No. 14746, Mar. 21, 2017>
| 1. | National or public education facilities; |
| 4. | Environmental education centers or regional environmental education centers under Article 16. |
Where the Minister of Environment intends to revoke the certification of environmental education programs under Article 15, the Minister shall hold hearings.
| Article 20 (Administrative Fines) |
| (1) | A person who indicates certification in environmental education programs, who fails to receive certification, or displays similar indications, in violation of Article 13 (6), shall be punished by an administrative fine not exceeding two hundred thousand won. |
| (2) | The administrative fine under paragraph (1) shall be imposed and collected by the Minister of Environment, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (3) | A person who is dissatisfied with an administrative fine imposed under paragraph (2), may raise an objection within 30 days from the date he/she received notice of the said imposition. |
| (4) | If a person on whom an administrative fine is imposed under paragraph (2) raises an objection under paragraph (3), the Minister of Environment shall, without delay, notify a court of competent jurisdiction, which, in turn, shall proceed to trial on the administrative fine pursuant to the Non-Contentious Case Procedure Act. |
| (5) | If no objection is raised and no administrative fine is paid within the period specified under paragraph (3), an administrative fine shall be collected in the same manner as delinquent national or local taxes are collected. |
ADDENDUM
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 10893, Jul. 21, 2011>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force one year after the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 through 6 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
| (1) | This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. |
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 12844, Nov. 19, 2014>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 13173, Feb. 3, 2015>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Grounds for Disqualification of Incompetent Persons, etc.)
A person under adult guardianship or a person under limited guardianship provided in the amended provisions of Article 11 (2) 1 shall be deemed to include a person for whom the adjudication of incompetency or quasi-incompetency remains in effect under Article 2 of the Addenda to the Civil Act (Act No. 10429).
ADDENDA <Act No. 14746, Mar. 21, 2017>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 through 4 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 14839, Jul. 26, 2017>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amendments to the Acts which were promulgated before this Act enters into force but the enforcement date of which has not arrived yet, among the Acts amended by Article 5 of the Addenda, shall enter into force on the enforcement date of the respective Act.
Articles 2 through 6 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 15199, Dec. 12, 2017>
This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.