According to Hallasan National Park officials, littering by tourists, including instant noodle broth, is polluting water sources and affecting the mountain ecosystem. Instant noodle broth contains high levels of salt, which can harm aquatic life and contribute to eutrophication, causing an imbalance in the ecosystem.
“Instant noodle broth contains a lot of salt, so releasing salt along the valley’s waterways will prevent aquatic insects from living in the polluted water,” the Hallasan Mountain National Park Office posted on Facebook.
According to a press release, the mountain's management agency has initiated a campaign calling on hikers not to dump instant noodle broth on the mountain or into streams to protect the clean environment.
Mount Halla is known as the "roof of Korea"
Authorities have put up banners calling for the mountain to be kept clean for future generations, and asking climbers to use only half the amount of water when cooking instant noodles.
The reason instant noodle soup is harmful to the environment, according to the agency, is because of its high salt content, which threatens aquatic life and pollutes the soil.
Traditionally, mountain rest areas prohibit the sale of food and cooking, but hikers still bring hot water bottles to cook their own noodles. Due to the large number of hikers, the trash cans on the mountain are only suitable for solid waste, not for leftover noodle soup, so many people dump it on the ground or in the toilet.
The “anti-noodle soup” campaign on Hallasan Mountain is gaining traction on social media, with many calling for a complete ban on bringing food onto the mountain, similar to the policies in place on many other mountains.
Worried about the harmful effects of instant noodle culture, the Korean government has taken many measures to protect this mountain.
Smoking, leaving food and garbage behind, drinking alcohol and trespassing are all prohibited on Mount Halla. Violators can face fines of up to 2,000,000 won (US$1,600).
The problem of instant noodle waste is not only in Korea but also in many countries around the world. The use of instant noodles is increasingly popular, leading to a significant increase in plastic waste. Plastic waste from instant noodles is often not classified and treated properly, causing soil, water and air pollution.
Hallasan Mountain, 1,947 meters high, is the highest mountain in South Korea and is located in the popular tourist destination of Jeju Island. According to South Korean government statistics, 923,680 people visited Hallasan Mountain in 2023. In South Korea, mountaineers often carry instant noodles in disposable cups to eat during the day.
Hallasan is part of the UNESCO-listed Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes World Heritage Site. According to South Korean government statistics, 923,680 tourists visited the site last year.
