Korea National Park Eco-Friendly Forest Wedding with ESG-centric Businesses
Snapshot Solution
Mountain Wedding(Sobaeksan National Park)
KNPS
It was offered for socially vulnerable 59 prospective couples during the period of April 2021 to November 2022 at 16 locations in 10 national parks including Jirisan National Park.
In order to practice carbon neutrality, KNPS planned an eco-friendly wedding without disposables and attracted business sponsorship in line with ESG-centered businesses.
KNPS supported 59 couples in total; 27 couples in 2021 and 32 couples in 2022. Roles and Responsibilities were divided as follows; KNPS HQ planned the project, set the scope of support, attracted sponsorship, and carried out marketing. KNPS Offices and Centers recruited participants, provided venues and conducted a survey. Wedding companies rent wedding accessories like dresses and makeup for brides and operate the events.
KNPS also provided electric buses and accommodations for one night and promoted eco-friendly local specialities. Social wedding enterprises operated eco-friendly weddings such as wedding decorations using flower pots.
Context
Challenges addressed
Location
Jirisan National Park, 마천면 삼정리, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do 50057, South Korea
Bukhansan National Park, 성북구 보국문로 262, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul 01002, South Korea
Hallyeohaesang National Park, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 53329, South Korea
Seoraksan National Park, 설악동, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do 24903, South Korea
Sobaeksan, 인동22길 24, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 39407, South Korea
Naejangsan National Park, 내장산로 936 (내장동), Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do 56199, South Korea
Mudeungsan, 동구 동산길 29, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61493, South Korea
East Asia
Impacts
In 2021, 27 couples were unable to hold a wedding due to COVID-19. 8 couples with interest in forest weddings, 16 couples with multicultural backgrounds (nine countries), and 3 low-income couples- used the wedding service. This project was selected by the Ministry of Environment as the Best Practice for Innovation in the category of Participation and Social Value in 2021. This wedding was covered by TV, radio, and major media with 45 news reports.
In 2022, 32 couples - 22 multicultural couples, 5 couples with disabilities, and 5 low-income couples- used the wedding service. It was granted an Award by the Minister of Gender Equality and Family on the celebration of 2022 Family Month. This project secured sponsorship of 84 million won from 6 sponsors, and 9 million won worth of material aids from 3 sponsors.
Through this project, KNPS identified the value of using national parks and realized social values through ESG-centric management. KNPS also provided ecological welfare to the vulnerable in financial difficulties due to COVID-19 using public goods available at national parks.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals
