People For Earth

Joint Academic Conference by Kangwon National University Environmental Law Center, People for Earth (Earth Jurisprudence Society), and Suncheon Eco-College

On May 8, the Earth Jurisprudence Society, Kangwon National University Environmental Law Center, and Suncheon Eco-College jointly hosted an academic conference titled "Regional Transition in the Age of Climate and Ecological Crisis: Ecological City and Suncheon" in Suncheon, a city of ecological civilization. This conference was organized to explore new directions for ecological cities, focusing on the coexistence of cities and nature, the concept and institutionalization of ecological civilization, and practical cases in Suncheon.

Part 1: Coexistence of City and Nature: Theoretical Exploration

Moderated by Tae-hyun Park, President of the Earth Jurisprudence Society (Professor at Kangwon National University School of Law), the first session began with a presentation by Yo-sub Joo, Head Professor at Suncheon Eco-College. Using the metaphor of a net, he highlighted the relationships and interactions between human and non-human actors, explaining that the transition to an ecological civilization city is not driven by a single policy, but through the "power of composition" created together by citizen practice, institutions, and community.

In the following presentation, Jeong-ho Choi, Executive Secretary of the Earth Jurisprudence Society (Senior Researcher at Sogang University Law Research Institute), introduced the concept, legal definition, and practical applications of ordinances and policies regarding ecological cities. Comparing ecological city ordinances of Suncheon and other cities, he addressed civic participation, governance, as well as limitations and challenges (e.g., green gentrification, dual nature of technology adoption).

Part 2: Urban Transition with Nature: Ecological City

In the second session, In-cheol Kim, Director of the Eastern Jeollanam-do Community Research Institute, emphasized that Suncheon's identity as an ecological city is not a short-term policy result, but the outcome of long-accumulated local community efforts, such as the Jorye Lake Park and Suncheon Bay conservation movements. He shared how urban issues were transformed into a new urban identity through civic engagement and long-term vision.

Next, Dong-ho Kim, Team Leader of the Ecological Culture Team at Suncheon City Hall, detailed the administrative and institutional foundations created by Suncheon City to transition into an ecological civilization city. These include enacting ordinances to promote ecological civilization practices, establishing dedicated teams, and driving experimental initiatives such as citizen-led education through Eco-College, public forums, and platform construction.

Roundtable Discussion

The roundtable, moderated by Tae-sung Ham, Dean of Kangwon National University School of Law, featured discussions on the transition process toward an ecological civilization city. Panelists included People for Earth members Young-jun Kim (Attorney), Han-na Park (Researcher at Ewha Law Research Institute), Jeong-eun Song (Researcher at KNU Environmental Law Center), Han-bit Seong (Researcher at KNU Environmental Law Center), and Seung-yong Hong (Secretary General of Suncheon Eco-College).

Participants agreed that this transition extends beyond policy implementation; it is a cumulative process connecting civil society, natural ecosystems, legal ordinances, and administrative capacity over time. They emphasized the importance of sustainable practice and regional governance.

The conference concluded as a meaningful venue for reflecting on Suncheon's experiences and exploring the potential and future tasks of an ecological civilization city where humans, nature, citizens, administration, systems, and practices are interconnected.