Aramco Korea, a branch of the Saudi Arabian energy firm, entered into a partnership with Ulsan Metropolitan City and the Ulsan Metropolitan Council on Social Welfare (UMCSW) to establish a new public garden within Taehwagang National Garden, one of just two national gardens in Korea.
The pact, executed at Ulsan City Hall, will establish the approximately 7,000-square-meter Aramco-Jung Youngsun Ulsan Garden, which is named after its creator, landscape architect Jung Young-sun, the first Korean to receive the Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Award.
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The garden is projected to be finished by late October and will feature a forest, wetland, meadow, educational space, and conservation area, with over 73 native Korean species planted.
In the agreement, Aramco Korea will offer financing, whereas the city will furnish the location and manage operations post-completion. Jung and her company, Seoahn Total Landscape, will oversee the design and construction, while the UMCSW will handle the funding and facilitate collaboration among the three entities.
Taehwagang National Garden attracts approximately 9.5 million guests each year. Present at the signing were Khalid A. Radi, director representative of Aramco Korea; Kim Sang-wook, Ulsan Mayor; Jung; and Oh Se-geol, chairman of the UMCSW.
"This initiative represents our focus on creating long-term value for the communities where we operate," Radi says. Kim called the garden "a valuable public asset for Ulsan citizens."
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Aramco Korea has supported various community initiatives in Ulsan, such as a plastic recycling project, a coding academy, and a student safety program for school routes.
Aramco Asia Korea, a fully owned branch of Aramco, announced the extension of its Multi-use Plastic Food Tray Program to Gocheok Sky Dome, after its successful launch in 2024 at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.
The initiative — aimed at decreasing single-use plastic waste and encouraging mindful consumption — has been created in partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Association of Self-Sufficiency Promotion Centers (SASPC), the Doosan Bears, LG Sports, the Kiwoom Heroes, and Amoje Food.
During its first year, the program provided 100,000 reusable food trays, aiding in the decrease of plastic waste at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Every tray is gathered and thoroughly cleaned and sterilized at accredited facilities prior to being reused during the baseball season. The program aids in minimizing landfill garbage and enhances waste segregation and disposal methods within the stadium.
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Encouraged by the program’s early outcomes and the public’s positive response, Aramco Korea is amplifying its initiatives in 2025 by distributing around 150,000 reusable trays at the Gocheok Sky Dome — Seoul’s renowned, all-weather multipurpose stadium. The enhanced initiative is anticipated to decrease plastic waste by approximately 28 tons this year.
A partnership ceremony was conducted at the location to celebrate the expansion, featuring notable attendees such as Aramco Korea Representative Director Khalid Radi, Seoul First Vice Mayor Kim Tae-gyun, and high-ranking officials from partnering organizations.