Landmark for the 2028 Ulsan International Garden Expo

Winning Design Selected for “Namsan-ro Wooden Observatory and Exhibition Hall Architectural Competition”

Tedoori Architects Project Selected

A Step Closer to Becoming a “Fun City” through Eco-friendly Wooden Facilities

The winning architectural design for the "Taehwagang Eco-friendly Wooden Observatory and Exhibition Hall" in Namsan-ro Cultural Plaza, a major facility of the 2028 Ulsan International Garden Expo, has been finalized.

The 2028 Ulsan International Garden Expo Organizing Committee announced that it selected the work of "Tedoori Architects" as the winner and decided on a total of five prize-winning works.

A total of 18 works were submitted for this competition; a technical review was held on February 9, followed by a final evaluation on the 11th by five wooden architecture experts.

As a result of the evaluation, the work by Tedoori Architects (CEO Ahn Jong-jin) was selected as the winner, receiving high marks for space efficiency and effectively implementing the characteristics of eco-friendly wooden architecture.

Grand Prize: LEEON Architects, Excellence Award: Architecture Studio IDS, Participation Prize: bvvic Architects, Honorable Mention: IDR Architects.

Design rights will be granted to Tedoori Architects, the submitter of the winning work. Prize money will be awarded: KRW 40 million for Grand Prize, KRW 30 million for Excellence, KRW 20 million for Participation, and KRW 10 million for Honorable Mention.

The construction of the Taehwagang Eco-friendly Wooden Observatory and Exhibition Hall will be located around 1270 Mugeo-dong, Nam-gu, with a total project cost of KRW 26 billion, creating a 1,000 ㎡ observatory and a 2,000 ㎡ exhibition hall. Construction is scheduled to begin this July with the goal of completion by June next year.

In addition, the Ulsan Metropolitan City is considering installing experiential tourism facilities at Namsan-ro Cultural Plaza, which will be used as the 2028 Ulsan International Garden Expo site. By creating experience and play facilities linked with the winning wooden observatory and exhibition hall, the city expects to lay the foundation for "Fun City Ulsan."

An official from the Organizing Committee stated, “We will support the successful hosting of the Expo by building indoor exhibition facilities and an observatory required by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) as eco-friendly wooden buildings,” adding, “We will ensure Ulsan establishes itself as a ‘Fun City’ for tourists visiting the 2028 Ulsan International Garden Expo.”

Attachment: 1 copy of the bird’s-eye view of the winning and prize-winning works. End.
 

Ulsan Continues “Citizen Safety Insurance” with Automatic Enrollment for All Citizens

Achievement of KRW 860 Million in Coverage for 445 People Over the Past 2 Years

Focusing on 8 Coverage Items… Operating a Seamless Citizen Safety Net Again This Year

The Ulsan Metropolitan City announced it will continue to operate the “Citizen Safety Insurance” this year, where all citizens are automatically enrolled without a separate application, to support rapid recovery and life stability from disasters and various accidents.

The Citizen Safety Insurance is a system where anyone registered as a resident of Ulsan is automatically enrolled, helping citizens recover from practical damage by paying insurance money in case of unexpected accidents such as natural disasters, social disasters, and traffic accidents.

In particular, it is evaluated as an effective system that helps reduce the economic burden and stabilize life because it can be covered overlapping with personal insurance or disaster subsidies.

As a result of Ulsan investing municipal funds to operate the Citizen Safety Insurance for the past two years, it contributed to stabilizing the lives and easing the economic burden of accident-stricken citizens by paying approximately KRW 860 million in insurance money to a total of 445 people. Among them, it was found that 335 people received KRW 450 million in coverage last year.

The coverage includes general accidents that can occur in daily life, such as explosions, fires, collapses, natural disasters, and public transportation accidents.

In particular, it emphasizes the protection of the safety-vulnerable by broadly covering accidents in Protection Areas for Children (School Zones) and Protection Areas for Senior Citizens (Silver Zones).

Last year, it served as a safety net protecting citizens even in large-scale disaster situations, such as the payout of death benefits through the insurance during social disasters like the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant collapse.

Ulsan revised related ordinances to resolve the coverage gap between districts and counties and has been supporting insurance premiums with municipal funds by designating 8 essential coverage items since 2024.

Through this, a metropolitan-level Citizen Safety Insurance system was established where all citizens can receive the same benefits regardless of their residential area.

Ulsan will continue to operate the Citizen Safety Insurance by renewing it on a yearly basis this year.

Accordingly, the city plans to maintain a stable coverage system centered on 8 essential items: Death by natural disaster, Death by social disaster, Injury death or disability from explosion, fire, or collapse, Injury death or disability while using public transport, Injury treatment for traffic accidents in Protection Areas for Children (School Zones), Treatment for accidents in Protection Areas for Senior Citizens (Silver Zones).

In addition, the city plans to strengthen guidance and promotion of insurance claim procedures so that citizens can more easily receive benefits, and increase citizen satisfaction by linking with rapid response systems in case of disasters.

A city official said, “Citizen Safety Insurance is a minimum safety device that provides practical help to citizens whose foundation of life may be shaken by a single accident,” adding, “We will continue to build a seamless safety net so that every citizen can be protected without discrimination.” End.

 

Ulsan - Korea Zinc

“Jangbogo (Shopping)” Event at Neighborhood Traditional Market with Local Businesses

On the 13th, On-site Price Stability Inspection at Namchang Onggi-Jonggi Market

The Ulsan Metropolitan City announced that it will hold a “Jangbogo” event at Namchang Onggi-Jonggi Market in Ulju-gun on February 13 at 1:30 PM together with Korea Zinc.

About 20 people, including Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom, Korea Zinc Onsan Smelter Vice President Kim Seung-hyeon, Namchang Onggi-Jonggi Market Merchant Association President Jo Jong-jun, and city council members, will participate in the event.

Participants will shop directly with local gift certificates, listen to the voices of traditional market merchants, and encourage them.

In particular, this year, on-site price stability inspections and safety checks to prevent accidents like fire risks will be conducted together so that citizens can prepare for the holidays without worrying about prices.

Previously, Ulsan has been holding traditional market shopping events for the Lunar New Year starting with Sinjeong and Suam Markets in Nam-gu on February 9, Dongulsan Market in Dong-gu on the 10th, Hogye Market in Buk-gu and Taehwa Markets in Jung-gu on the 11th, and Eonyang Alps Market in Ulju-gun on the 12th.

Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom said, “Despite the government’s policy to revitalize domestic demand, efforts are desperate to induce continuous visits to traditional markets, which are losing visitors to large distributors and online shops,” and urged, “I ask local companies to take the lead in purchasing local gift certificates and using traditional markets.” End.

 

Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment

Promoting Process Improvement Support for Atmospheric Fields of Companies in Industrial Complexes

Providing services using hazardous air monitoring vehicles until next year

The Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment announced that it will start the “2026 Free Measurement Support for Hazardous Air Pollutants” to actively respond to air quality improvement and odor complaints.

This project is a public-private collaboration that encourages voluntary air quality improvement through cooperation between the institute and companies, moving away from the one-sided government-led guidance and inspection method.

From this month until the end of next year, the institute will provide free measurement services for 113 items, including designated odor substances and hazardous air pollutants like benzene, at workplaces that requested measurement.

Based on the measurement results, companies will engage in voluntary improvements to reduce the generation of odors and hazardous air pollutants.

Measurement targets include process facilities where leakage of hazardous air pollutants is a concern, such as valves, flanges, wastewater treatment plants, and waste storage areas.

Free measurement support will also be provided for workplaces that have applied new methods or improved processes for odor reduction, or that need performance checks of air pollution prevention facilities and confirmation of specific hazardous air pollutant emissions.

In particular, for this measurement support, professional staff from the institute will provide services using hazardous air monitoring vehicles equipped with advanced monitoring equipment.

The hazardous air monitoring vehicle is a mobile air quality monitoring system that monitors air pollutants in real-time and tracks hotspots.

The institute plans to provide measurement services to up to 20 companies located in four industrial complexes: Onsan, Petrochemical, Yeocheon, and Yongyeon, from this year to next year.

An institute official said, “We hope to achieve practical effects in improving air quality in industrial complexes by inducing facility improvements through rapid cause analysis support using advanced equipment for companies that have had difficulty tracking odor sources during processes.” End.

 

Ulsan Library

Operation of First-Half Children’s Material Room Field Trip Program

“Ulsan Library Geul-Beot (Book Buddy) Expedition” Every Wednesday Starting March 11

High Response Expected from Play-Centered Participatory Field Trip Program

Ulsan Library announced that it will operate the “2026 First-Half Children’s Material Room Field Trip Program” by significantly reorganizing the existing observation-style field trips into play-centered ones so that children can perceive the library as a familiar playground.

The program will run twice every Wednesday and Thursday at 10 AM and 11 AM from March 11 to June 18 in the Cultural Classroom of the Children’s Material Room on the 1st floor of Ulsan Library.

Participants are children from age 2 to elementary school students (groups of 10 to 30 people).

Wednesdays will feature the participatory field trip “Ulsan Library Geul-Beot Expedition” with a librarian, and Thursdays will feature “Free Field Trip” led by accompanying teachers.

In particular, the program was significantly reorganized to lower the library threshold through play-centered learning by newly establishing age-appropriate participatory activities for the “Ulsan Library Geul-Beot Expedition.”

Key programs include: For toddlers (ages 2–3), “Big Book Reading” using large books and “Doran-Doran Library Stroll” following animal footprint stickers on the floor; For children (ages 4–6), “Colorful Library” helps them become familiar with bookshelves by finding books of the same color as a designated book.

For lower-grade elementary students, “Today’s Book Search,” where they find books of the same theme based on a keyword; For upper-grade students, “Library Bingo,” where they write library-related words and check them off in the material room within a time limit to complete a 9-square bingo. These customized activities consider each age’s developmental stage.

Through this, it is expected that children will not only perceive the library as a fun space but also develop self-directedness in finding books themselves, as well as naturally learn cooperation through team activities and library etiquette.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting February 19 at 10 AM through the Ulsan Library website (library.ulsan.go.kr).

A library official said, “We plan to conduct various programs so that children can perceive the library not just as a place to borrow books, but as a space for fun exploration,” and added, “We hope for much interest and participation from local kindergartens, daycare centers, and elementary schools.”

 

Ulsan Bukbu Fire Station Participates in Life-Sharing Blood Donation Event

Ulsan Bukbu Fire Station announced that it will participate in a life-sharing blood donation event at 10 AM on February 13 in the station’s parking lot to help resolve the blood supply shortage.

This campaign was prepared to contribute to the stabilization of the local blood supply and spread a culture of life protection through the proactive example of the public sector.

About 10 people, including staff and volunteer firefighters, will participate in the event.

A Bukbu Fire Station official said, “I am grateful to the staff who joined this small action this year following last year,” and added, “We will continue various public interest activities for the safety and happiness of the community.” End.

 

Ulsan Bukbu Fire Station

Residential Firefighting Facilities Installation Campaign for Lunar New Year

Ulsan Bukbu Fire Station announced that it will conduct a campaign to promote the installation of residential firefighting facilities on February 15 at 10 AM, around the Nonghyup Hanaro Mart in Jinjang-dong, Buk-gu, in observance of the Lunar New Year holiday.

Approximately 30 members of the Bukbu Fire Station’s Male and Female Volunteer Fire Brigades will participate in this campaign, focusing on informing citizens visiting the mart ahead of the holiday about the mandatory installation and importance of residential firefighting facilities (stand-alone alarm detectors and fire extinguishers).

Members will work to raise citizens’ voluntary safety awareness by providing guidance on the mandatory installation of residential fire facilities, promoting how to use fire extinguishers for early response, guiding safety rules for using heating appliances in winter, and distributing promotional leaflets.

In particular, as the risk of fire increases during the Lunar New Year due to increased cooking and use of heating appliances, the station will emphasize the importance of preventing house fires and actively advise that installing fire extinguishers and detectors in every home is a necessity, not an option.

A Bukbu Fire Station official stated, “Residential firefighting facilities are the most effective safety devices to stop a fire in its early stages,” adding, “We hope citizens will make sure to install them for the safety of their families and neighbors.”

Meanwhile, the Bukbu Volunteer Fire Brigade continues to play active roles as local safety guardians, including supporting various disaster sites, conducting fire prevention campaigns, and performing safety inspections for vulnerable groups. End.

 

Ulsan Seo-Ulju Fire Station

Promotion of a “Safe Lunar New Year” for Traditional Markets

Guidance on Installing Residential Fire Facilities at 3 Locations, Including Eonyang Alps Market

Ulsan Seo-Ulju Fire Station announced that it will conduct a campaign to install residential firefighting facilities at 2 PM on February 13 at three locations, including Eonyang Alps Market, to prevent fires and reduce casualties ahead of the Lunar New Year.

This activity was organized to create an atmosphere for fire prevention during the holiday and spread the culture of installing residential fire facilities; about 50 people, including firefighters, volunteer fire brigade members, and members of the Fire Safety Promotion Council, will attend.

Key contents include: Guidance on the legally mandatory installation of residential fire facilities, Guidance on installation, use, and maintenance, Removal of foreign substances from distribution boards, Distribution of fire extinguishing patches for power strips. A meeting with market officials will also be held afterward.

A Seo-Ulju Fire Station official said, “We expect that citizens’ safety culture awareness will spread through this campaign,” and added, “Citizens’ own efforts are very important to protect their homes safely from fire.” End.

 

Hwasan 119 Safety Center, Ulsan Nam-Ulju Fire Station

Joint Firefighting Drill at Energy Storage System (ESS) Business Sites

Hwasan 119 Safety Center of Ulsan Nam-Ulju Fire Station announced that it will conduct ESS fire response training for one week from February 13 to 20 as part of winter fire prevention measures.

The drill, involving about 10 people including the fire suppression team leader, will be conducted jointly with 8 business sites in the jurisdiction where ESS is installed and where large-scale damage is a concern in case of a fire.

The training focused on strengthening customized early fire suppression techniques and systematic response capabilities, considering the specific characteristics of ESS fires.

Key training details include: Investigating basic fire suppression data (identifying the status of ESS facilities and fire protection equipment), Checking the early response system of self-defense fire brigades in emergencies, Checking fire engine access routes and confirming vehicle deployment positions.

A Hwasan 119 Safety Center official said, “Once an ESS fire occurs, the damage is immense, and extinguishing it is very difficult, so the initial response is crucial. We will do our best to improve the systematic response capabilities of both officials and our fire department.” End.

 

Ulsan, Public Recruitment for “2026 On-Site Human Rights Education” Instructors

Applications Accepted Until February 27

The Ulsan Metropolitan City announced that it is publicly recruiting instructors for the operation of its “2026 On-Site Human Rights Education.”

“On-Site Human Rights Education” is a customized program that directly visits social welfare facilities, public institutions, and various groups to raise human rights awareness and spread a culture of respect for human rights across the community.

Eligibility criteria include those who meet at least one of the following: Human rights instructors appointed by the National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea, Persons who completed a human rights instructor training course and have over 2 years of teaching experience, Persons with over 3 years of experience in human rights-related civil society organizations, Persons at the level of assistant professor or higher teaching psychology, social welfare, law, or sociology at a university according to Article 2 of the Higher Education Act.

Instructors will be selected through a document review for the first round, followed by a final selection of those who complete the instructor capacity-building course operated by Ulsan.

Selected instructors will visit requested institutions for 8 months from March to October to give lectures on topics such as understanding human rights, human rights sensitivity, and cases of human rights violations and discrimination.

Applications are accepted via email (meilan11@korea.kr) until 6 PM on February 27.

Details on eligibility and required documents can be found on the Ulsan website (www.ulsan.go.kr, Community > News & Notice), and inquiries can be directed to the Ulsan Rights and Human Rights Officer (☎052-229-3942).

A city official stated, “On-site human rights education plays an important role in enhancing citizens’ sensitivity and public sector administrative capacity. We look forward to the interest of professional and responsible instructors.”

Meanwhile, last year, Ulsan conducted on-site human rights education at 168 locations, including social welfare facilities and local children’s centers, with a total of 2,813 people completing the training. End.

 

Ulsan Participates in “Kumamoto Castle Marathon 2026”

The 15th: The Road of Friendship between Ulsan and Kumamoto Connected via Marathon

The Ulsan Metropolitan City reaffirms its 16-year friendship with Kumamoto City, Japan, through the medium of sports.

Ulsan announced that it will dispatch a delegation to participate in the “Kumamoto Castle Marathon 2026” for three days from February 14 to 16.

The “Kumamoto Castle Marathon” is a representative sports festival in Japan held every mid-February since its first event in 2012.

Every year, about 13,000 people participate, running against the backdrop of historical scenery around Kumamoto Castle, putting the entire city in a festive mood.

This visit is part of effort to revitalize mutual sports and cultural exchanges since the two cities signed a friendship city agreement in 2010; five representatives, including runners from Ulsan’s marathon clubs and officials, will participate.

In particular, Ulsan aims to promote practical “economic cooperation” beyond simple sports exchange. The delegation plans to meet with local officials to discuss the need for exchange programs that can create synergy between Ulsan, the mecca of Korea’s automobile and shipbuilding industries, and Kumamoto, which is rapidly emerging as a semiconductor hub.

The momentum of exchange will continue in Ulsan. Ulsan plans to broaden the scope of exchange by officially inviting a delegation from Kumamoto City to the “23rd Taehwagang International Marathon” to be held on March 28.

A city official said, “We hope the trust built through sports will lead to practical cooperation between the two cities.” End.

 

Ulsan

“Responding to Climate Change: Strengthening the Competitiveness of Pear Farms”

Minimizing Farm Losses Through Support for Farming Materials and Purchase of Non-Standard Products

The Ulsan Metropolitan City is stepping up to support local pear-growing farms struggling with climate change.

Ulsan announced that it will invest KRW 8.3 billion into the “Climate Change Response Fruit Competitiveness Strengthening Project” to build a high-quality pear production base and stabilize farm income.

First, it will provide 96,000 packs of pear bags and 1,904 bags of pollen for artificial pollination to pear farms to increase fruit set rates and secure stable production volumes.

Support for non-standard pears (fallen or bruised fruit) caused by extreme weather will also be expanded. The city plans to support the purchase costs for processing 7,500 boxes of non-standard pears into pear juice to reduce farm losses and create added value.

Furthermore, it will support the shipping costs for 75,000 boxes of pears through the agricultural cooperative system to ease the burden on farmers.

A city official said, “This project will contribute to stabilizing farm income and enhancing the brand value of Ulsan pears amid increasing uncertainty in the agricultural environment due to climate change.”

Meanwhile, Ulsan is a major production area with a cultivation area of 629 hectares, approximately 1,022 farms, and an annual production of 9,517 tons. The Seosaeng, Samnam, and Cheongnyang areas in Ulju-gun are the main producing regions, consistently winning awards at national evaluations for their quality.

Designated as an export complex for the U.S. since 1999, Ulsan recorded an export performance of 350 tons worth KRW 1.85 billion in 2025. End.

 

Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment

Expanded Integrated Surveillance of Respiratory Infectious Diseases in 2026

Expansion from 5 Existing Locations to 6 by Adding a Long-Term Care Hospital

The Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment announced that it will expand its pathogen surveillance system in connection with local medical institutions starting this year to preemptively respond to respiratory disease outbreaks.

This measure is intended to analyze respiratory infectious disease trends more comprehensively by expanding the surveillance range to high-risk groups, such as the elderly.

To this end, the institute will operate the surveillance system based on a total of 6 medical institutions by adding one long-term care hospital to the existing 5 hospitals and medical clinics.

The pathogens to be tested include a total of 9 types, including influenza, COVID-19, and 7 types of acute respiratory infection viruses, with continuous monitoring through weekly tests.

National respiratory disease surveillance results are disclosed on the Ulsan website (www.ulsan.go.kr), and data is shared with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and participating medical institutions for patient treatment.

An institute official said, “In 2026, we will further expand the test items to recognize outbreaks early and actively protect citizens’ health through evidence-based responses.”

Meanwhile, results from last year showed that while respiratory diseases were suppressed during the pandemic due to mask-wearing and social distancing, various respiratory viruses have re-emerged simultaneously since the return to daily life.

Looking at the detection status by pathogen, acute respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus and parainfluenza virus were the most common at 56.1%, followed by influenza virus at 27.3% and COVID-19 at 11.4%.

While the detection rate of COVID-19 decreased compared to the previous year, the influenza virus showed the largest outbreak in the past 5 years, with the epidemic advisory issued early and a detection rate of 27.3%.

Specifically, Type A (H1N1 pdm09) was dominant in January of the 2024–2025 season, while the proportion of Type B (Victoria lineage) increased in March and April. In the 2025–2026 season (October to December), Type A (H3N2) was dominant, and recently in January, Type B (Victoria lineage) has begun circulating again. End.

<Data Disclosure Site>

Ulsan Institute of Health and Environment (www.ulsan.go.kr) > Data Room > Infectious Diseases > Influenza and Respiratory Virus Surveillance

 

Ulsan Tap Water

Strict Water Quality Management: Results of 60 Test Items Found “Suitable”

Waterworks Headquarters, Results of Water Quality Tests Conducted in January

Waterworks Headquarters of Ulsan Metropolitan City stated that the tap water quality tests conducted in January showed that Ulsan’s tap water is at a safe level, meeting the drinking water quality standards.

The tests targeted treated water from the Hoeya and Cheonsang Water Treatment Plants, covering a total of 60 items.

Detailed test results showed that all 4 microbial parameters (general bacteria, total coliforms, E. coli, etc.) and 12 inorganic substances with potential health effects (ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, fluoride, heavy metals, boron, etc.) were either “not detected, compliant, or below the regulatory limits.”

Also, 17 organic substances with potential health effects (phenol, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, etc.) were “not detected,” and 11 disinfectants for disinfection by-products (residual chlorine, total trihalomethanes, chloroform, etc.) were either “not detected or below the regulatory limits.”

Additionally, 16 parameters related to aesthetic effects (odor, taste, color, turbidity, etc.) were investigated as “not detected, compliant, or below the regulatory limits.”

An official from the Waterworks Headquarters said, “We prioritize the health of Ulsan citizens and are doing our best to supply tap water that citizens can drink with confidence through regular monthly tests.”

Detailed results can be found on the Waterworks Headquarters website (http://water.ulsan.go.kr).

Meanwhile, the Waterworks Headquarters of Ulsan Metropolitan City operates the “Home Tap Water Safety Confirmation System,” allowing anyone to receive water quality tests for free. Applications can be made via the Waterworks Headquarters website (http://water.ulsan.go.kr), the Mul-Sarang website (www.ilovewater.or.kr), or by phone (☎052-268-5189). End.