Media Facades Also Cause Light Pollution... Expansion of Outdoor Lighting Pre-Approval

Ministry of Environment to Implement Light Pollution Reduction Plan Starting This Year
Lighting Management Standards Shift from Physical Brightness to Perceptual Indicators Like Glare and Discomfort

Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment, is responding to lawmakers' questions at the Environment and Labor Committee plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The pre-assessment system for outdoor lighting, such as media facades, will be expanded nationwide starting this year. A light pollution reduction plan will also be established, shifting lighting management standards from physical brightness to perceptual indicators such as glare and discomfort.

On the 11th, the Ministry of Environment announced that it has established the "3rd Comprehensive Plan for Light Pollution Prevention" and will begin full implementation this year.

According to the comprehensive plan, the Ministry of Environment will change lighting management standards from objective indicators like illuminance and luminance to subjective indicators such as glare and discomfort.

Measures will also be promoted to categorize lighting types by usage rather than type, so that new lighting installations can be regulated. For example, lighting installed for security and safety purposes will be allowed to be brighter under relaxed standards.

The outdoor lighting pre-assessment system, which has been operated by Seoul City since 2011, will also be expanded nationwide. This system approves new lighting fixture installations after pre-checking compliance with light emission standards.

The Ministry of Environment stated, "We plan to support local governments in activating the system by preparing guides on the scope and assessment items of the outdoor lighting pre-assessment system."

Additionally, research on the reduction of crop yields caused by light pollution will begin. Separate compensation standards will be established for crops other than rice, sesame, perilla, soybean, and barley, which currently have set compensation criteria.

Currently, compensation standards for rice, sesame, perilla, soybean, and barley are applied to other crops to compensate for light pollution damage.

Detailed information about the Comprehensive Plan for Light Pollution Prevention will be available on the Ministry of Environment’s website starting from the 12th.

Lee Chang-heum, Director of the Climate and Carbon Policy Office at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "We will not only develop technologies related to light pollution prevention but also lead a good light culture so that all citizens can enjoy their daily lives in a comfortable light environment."