President Lee Myung-bak stressed the importance of green growth during briefing sessions with the ministries of land, transport and maritime affairs environment and agriculture on Monday. He said that Korea would become a more vibrant country when the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is completed next year emphasizing that eco-friendly development would not only bring economic gains, but also emotional changes when people see the refurbished rivers.

The environment ministry also announced its plan to establish a “green incentive system” to pursue a low-carbon lifestyle. Green credit chips will be embedded into credit cards so that cardholders can save green points when they use public transportation or buy government-approved green products, such as recycled goods.

Green credits will also be given to people putting in efforts in their daily lives such as riding bicycles or using mugs at coffee shops instead of disposable cups. In line with an attempt to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent by the year 2020, mass production of electric vehicles will begin next year and tax benefits will be provided to drivers of low-carbon cars.

And later in the day, the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries set out plans to reinforce its risk management system regarding the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the country and to stabilize prices of farm products.