Support for water companies' overseas expansion extended to all firms

Customized climate science education content to be provided for students with sensory disabilities

[123RF]
[123RF]

A chatbot consultation service offering round-the-clock, personalized information on inter-floor noise disputes will be introduced in the second half of the year, while the number of incentive categories under the carbon neutrality points program will expand from 17 to 19.

The new inter-floor noise chatbot guidance service will allow residents to receive accurate, tailored information quickly at any hour without in-person contact. By ensuring complainants get the right information and appropriate guidance at an early stage, authorities expect the service to help resolve disputes before they escalate.

Under the expanded carbon neutrality citizen-practice support program, two new incentive categories — use of zero-carbon (electric or hydrogen) taxis and use of reusable delivery boxes — will be added to the existing 17, bringing the total to 19. Any member of the public aged 14 or older who participates in carbon-neutral practices can receive up to 70,000 won ($45) per person per year.

Starting in July, a support project to promote overseas expansion by water companies will be launched to advance the water industry and help firms break into foreign markets. The project will cover overseas market research, international joint research, technology and personnel exchange, acquisition of international certifications, exports of technology, construction methods and products, and the identification and securing of overseas projects. The scope of eligible recipients will be expanded to cover all water companies.

Water supply filters, ceramic balls, faucet taps and other water supply materials and products will be added to the list of items requiring sanitary safety standard certification. Anyone seeking to manufacture or import such items must obtain certification under Article 14 of the Waterworks Act and related regulations.

The time interval for medium-range weather forecasts — covering a six-to-eleven-day outlook window — will be narrowed from the current 12-hour-to-one-day intervals to three-to-six-hour intervals. Forecast resolution will also improve from the current provincial unit to a 5-kilometer grid.

From Sept. 18, provisions related to new energy sources such as hydrogen and fuel cells will be transferred to the Hydrogen Act to resolve side effects caused by the mixed use of "renewable energy" and "new energy" terminology in legislation covering solar, wind and other renewable sources alongside hydrogen and fuel cells.

Starting in November, the overseas earthquake early-warning service area will be extended beyond the Kyushu region of Japan to include the Nankai Trough, in response to growing concerns about the risk of a major earthquake in that zone.

The support project for water companies' overseas market development will be broadened from small and medium-sized enterprises to all water companies. Eligible activities include overseas market research, international joint research, technology and personnel exchange, acquisition of international certifications, exports of technology, construction methods and products, and the identification and securing of overseas projects.


thlee@heraldcorp.com