"Please Don't Throw Away Ramen Broth"...Even Flying Drones Over Hallasan Sky

Special Activities Conducted to Eradicate Illegal Acts Such as Smoking and Cooking

A drone photo to aid understanding of the article, unrelated to the article content.

The Korea National Park Service under the Ministry of Environment has decided to conduct a special campaign to eradicate illegal activities within Hallasan National Park in collaboration with the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province World Heritage Headquarters.

This special campaign targets the 8.4 km section of the Yeongsil~Witseoreum~Eorimok trail in Hallasan National Park, where about 20 employees from the National Park Service and Hallasan National Park Office will carry out guidance activities regarding illegal acts such as ▲smoking and cooking ▲using unauthorized trails and entering restricted areas.

Additionally, the National Park Service will use two multipurpose unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to conduct guidance broadcasts on safe hiking and fire prevention around the Witseoreum Shelter area. The drones will monitor visitor usage around the Baengnokdam summit area and major trail sections. Furthermore, campaigns to prevent the illegal disposal of ramen broth at the summit of Hallasan will also be promoted.

[Image source=Pixabay]

The National Park Service will provide visitors who actively cooperate with the guidance activities with souvenirs such as scarves and keychains introducing Hallasan National Park, which are produced in-house.

This special campaign aims to maintain continuous cooperation through mutual information sharing and business exchanges related to national park management between the National Park Service and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. Among the 23 national parks nationwide, Hallasan is managed by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (Hallasan National Park Office). The National Park Service plans to conduct a special crackdown with staff from the Hallasan National Park Office at Seoraksan National Park in the second half of this year.

Hallasan National Park Joint Special Activity Section. [Image source=Korea National Park Service]

Earlier in March, the Hallasan National Park Office pointed out that a craze for taking 'cup ramen eating certification shots' among Hallasan visitors has led to overflowing ramen broth in food waste bins. Currently, at locations such as Witseoreum at an altitude of 1700m, eating is permitted by allowing visitors to conveniently enjoy cup ramen by pouring hot water carried in thermos bottles.

While most visitors take their trash with them after eating cup ramen, it is reported that leftover broth is difficult to dispose of. The ramen broth discarded in the food waste bins is collected and disposed of directly by park office staff, but the volume has become overwhelming to manage.