Minister Han Hwajin: "Cafe Single-Use Cup Deposit System to Be Implemented as Scheduled in December"

First Press Conference After Inauguration

Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment, is holding her first press briefing since taking office on the 15th.

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Han Hwajin, Minister of Environment, announced that the postponed implementation of the disposable cup deposit system will proceed as scheduled in December.

Minister Han held her first press briefing since taking office near the Sejong Government Complex on the 15th and said, "The disposable cup deposit system, which was postponed until December 1, will definitely be implemented on the 2nd."

She added, "We are regularly communicating with franchise headquarters to hear their opinions on the deposit system implementation. To reduce the economic burden and additional labor costs felt at stores, we will consult with each franchise headquarters one by one."

Earlier, the government decided on the 10th of this month to impose a 300 won deposit on disposable cups used at franchise stores of a certain scale or larger, such as coffee franchises, and to refund the deposit upon return. However, the implementation was postponed until December 1 due to concerns about the management burden on small business owners.

Regarding relief measures for victims of humidifier disinfectants, Minister Han stated, "There are parts that require mediation between victims and companies first, and issues such as the finality demanded by companies require amendments to special laws."

On environmental regulation innovation, she said, "As the head of the Ministry of Environment, the top priorities in environmental regulation innovation will be protecting the safety and health of the public and the environmental values of a carbon-neutral circular economy." She added, "The regulatory reform envisioned by the Ministry of Environment is not about deregulation but about improving, rationalizing, and advancing regulations."

She emphasized, "We launched a regulatory response task force within the Ministry of Environment last month and will lead rapid changes by holding monthly environmental regulation innovation strategy meetings chaired by the minister."

Additionally, regarding her remark that nuclear power is green energy, Minister Han explained, "This is based on the international trend of classifying energy as eco-friendly from a life cycle perspective. Preconditions include high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel."

Finally, reflecting on her first month in office, she said, "I have been visiting sites frequently and spending a lot of time listening to understand detailed environmental issues. I am deeply aware of the heavy historical tasks assigned to the Ministry of Environment."