The Jeollabuk-do Environmental Health Center (Director Kim Yong-hyun, hereinafter the Center) and the Health and Environment Research Institute (Director Jeon Gyeong-sik, hereinafter the Institute) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 7 at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Jisandang to jointly respond to regional environmental health issues and strengthen the foundation for protecting residents' health.

This agreement was made to establish a scientific investigation and research collaboration framework based on the expertise of both institutions amid a situation in which environmental hazards such as air pollution, heatwaves, fine dust, and harmful chemical substances are increasing due to the climate crisis and changes in residential and industrial environments.

Under the MOU, the two institutions will pursue joint investigations and research to address regional environmental health issues; monitoring of environmental hazards and construction and sharing of environmental health data; joint operation of education and public awareness programs for residents; and cooperation in supporting environmental health policy and improving institutional measures.

They also agreed to prioritize identifying and supporting vulnerable groups in environmental health—such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women—and regional blind spots in environmental health to help reduce health disparities and realize environmental justice.

The Center will carry out locally focused projects including field surveys and monitoring, education and outreach, and identification of policy needs. The Institute will be responsible for analyzing environmental hazards, conducting tests and inspections, analyzing data, and providing technical consultation.

The two institutions plan to form a working-level consultative body and hold regular meetings and ad hoc consultations to continuously identify joint projects and detail cooperative initiatives.

Kim Yong-hyun, Director of the Center, said, “This agreement is an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among regional environmental health institutions. We will work together to implement tangible environmental health policies and create a healthy living environment that residents can experience.”

Meanwhile, the Center will continue to promote the development of environmental health policies that reflect regional characteristics and pursue collaborative projects to respond to the climate crisis, striving to protect residents' health and create a safe living environment.