Jongno-gu earns top marks across all categories in the Seoul Metropolitan Government's 2025 comprehensive environmental management evaluation, ranking No. 1 among all autonomous districts; it is also the only Seoul district to place third nationwide in Group 4 of the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy's local government assessment
Jongno-gu has been named the top-performing district in Seoul's comprehensive environmental management evaluation, recognized for its outstanding oversight of pollutant-emitting facilities.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government conducts an annual assessment of how each autonomous district manages pollutant-emitting businesses within its boundaries. The evaluation scores districts out of 100 points across six categories — including inspection rates, violation detection rates and sample-testing rates — with up to 10 bonus points available.
Jongno-gu drew high marks for its systematic approach of combining scheduled and unannounced inspections, as well as its swift response to violations. The district scored 105 points in total, far exceeding the district average of 86.14, to claim the top "best district" designation.
Jongno-gu also distinguished itself in a national-level assessment. In the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy's evaluation of local government environmental management of pollutant-emitting facilities — covering 2025 performance results — the district ranked third nationwide in Group 4 of the basic local government category, the only Seoul district to achieve that ranking.
The Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy evaluates all 245 local governments across the country — 17 metropolitan and 228 basic — to identify top-performing agencies. Basic local governments are divided into five groups based on the number of pollutant-emitting facilities under their jurisdiction.
The assessment weighed inspection rates and violation management records alongside pollution testing, technology support and education performance. Jongno-gu posted a total score of 93.68 points, cementing its standing as a strong environmental manager.
To prevent environmental pollution, Jongno-gu has stepped up routine inspections of pollutant-emitting facilities and strengthened its response to public complaints, while continuing to provide technical guidance and on-site support to small businesses.
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