Environment ministry announces island cleanup expansion for summer debris

The environment ministry said the Korea National Park Service will expand a resident-led marine-debris collection program to 22 islands, seeking a faster response as summer rains and typhoons send waste toward hard-to-reach shores.

The program will operate at 94 locations: 27 on nine islands in Hallyeohaesang National Park and 67 on 13 in Dadohaehaesang National Park, with 27 local community groups. Summer rains and typhoons push debris into rivers and coastal areas, where pocket beaches and bays trap it and terrain hinders collection.

The service said it operates the program to offset staffing and budget constraints across a wide area, better manage remote islands vulnerable to collection difficulties and contribute to residents' incomes.

Under three-party agreements, fishing-village cooperatives and village associations will collect the waste. The Korea National Park Service will fund activity payments and vessel and equipment rentals, while local governments handle disposal.

"Through the resident-led collection program with local residents, we will swiftly collect marine debris and do our utmost to ensure everyone can experience a clean marine environment in national parks," Joo Dae-young, head of the service, said.

The initiative began at 30 locations on eight islands in 2022. Across its first four years, it drew 9,805 residents and collected 1,760 tonnes of marine debris; participation reached 3,538 last year, from 718 in its first year.

The 10 fishing-village cooperatives on Geumodo are joining the program this year. The service will organize joint summer cleanups with local governments and related agencies, focus personnel at busy beaches and bring collection intervals to five days or less.