It was found that discarded trash left by visitors to Hallasan, such as cup noodles and kimbap, has been increasing recently.
According to the Jeju World Natural Heritage Center on the 16th, trash collected from Hallasan has amounted to around 30 tons every year over the past decade. It peaked at 52.8 tons in 2017, and 32.4 tons was collected last year, with 30 to 40 tons of trash generated annually.
This year is no different. As of March, 11.7 tons of trash has already been collected. Not only around the summit deck but also along the trails and near high-altitude restrooms, food waste, PET bottles, plastic, and snack wrappers are being discarded in many places.
Some visitors were said to push trash into gaps where it would not be easily seen. In fact, during the removal of the summit deck in August last year, trash that had accumulated over 19 years was discovered all at once.
Smoking, dumping food and trash, unauthorized entry, and drinking are prohibited in Hallasan National Park. Violations are subject to fines of up to 2 million won.