How Energy Crisis Sparks Innovative Energy-Saving Campaigns in Korea

The Korea Sports Promotion Foundation’s Bicycle and Motorboat Racing Headquarters drew attention after following an energy‑saving campaign with a collaborative program with the Gwangmyeong Police Station to combat illegal gambling among youth.
 
On the 5th, the Headquarters said it had launched measures to save energy and improve efficiency in response to the government’s resource‑security crisis alert.
 
The initiative was designed to address uncertainties in energy supply tied to global geopolitical instability and to help spread a culture of conservation among public institutions.
 
Accordingly, the organization launched an organization‑wide energy‑reduction campaign at key sites, including the Gwangmyeong Spidome, and encouraged voluntary participation from employees.
 
Key actions included turning off unnecessary lights and cutting standby power, maintaining appropriate indoor temperatures, minimizing elevator use while encouraging stair use, and expanding public‑transit ridership.
 
The campaign also implemented practical measures such as switching off lights during lunch, minimizing lighting in unused spaces, and enabling computers’ power‑saving modes.
 
A Headquarters official said, “In an energy crisis, it is important for public institutions to lead by example,” and added, “We will actively promote a culture of sustainable energy use going forward.”
  
 

The Headquarters also partnered with the Gwangmyeong Police Station to deliver training aimed at eradicating illegal gambling among young people.
 
The session, held on the 3rd at Gwangmyeong Police Station, targeted youths who had been referred to a guidance review board for gambling offenses. The program aimed to raise awareness about the risks of illegal gambling—especially as it spreads online—and to prevent recidivism.
 
A professional counselor from the Bicycle & Motorboat Racing Addiction Prevention and Treatment Center, “Hope Gilbeot,” led case‑based lectures followed by a Q&A session.
 
The curriculum covered the definition and types of illegal gambling, victim case studies, applicable laws and penalties, addiction risks and prevention strategies, and reporting and counseling procedures.
 
Participants also completed the youth gambling screening test (CAGI) to assess individual risk levels, and attendees were asked to sign a pledge after the training to reinforce personal responsibility.
 
A Headquarters official noted, “Gambling in adolescence often leads to addiction. We will continue to expand preventive education and counseling in cooperation with the police.”
 
Going forward, the two agencies plan to maintain regular guidance training and counseling and to launch a traveling outreach campaign to visit local middle and high schools to raise awareness about illegal gambling.