Mount Halla, the highest mountain in South Korea, is a dormant volcano surrounded by Hallasan National Park, located on Jeju Island. It was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2002 and later recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
Unfortunately, the natural beauty of Mount Halla is now under threat from an unexpected source: ramyeon broth.
Ramyeon refers to Korea’s popular instant noodles, usually served in disposable containers. In recent years, it has become a trend among hikers in Korea to bring ramyeon with them and eat it during midday hikes.
However, some irresponsible hikers have been disposing of leftover ramyeon broth into the mountain’s water streams. According to officials from Hallasan National Park, the broth—high in salt content—can severely damage aquatic ecosystems. Contaminated water threatens the survival of native species and the ecological balance of the area.
Steps Taken to Handle the Environmental Harm
To combat this issue, park officials have installed banners with messages such as:
“Let us preserve the cleanliness of Mount Halla and pass it down to future generations as it is.”
These banners are accompanied by further warnings urging hikers to use only a minimal amount of water when cooking ramyeon.
Other posted reminders include prohibitions against:
- Smoking
- Leaving food or trash behind
- Consuming alcohol
- Entering restricted areas
Violators may face fines of up to ₩2,000,000 (approximately Rp23,737,704).
Visitors must also follow park regulations in surrounding areas, such as obeying traffic signals and avoiding jaywalking. Breaking these rules can result in fines ranging from ₩20,000 (Rp237,378) to ₩60,000 (Rp712,132).
Tourists Who Violated Regulations
On June 25, Jeju police conducted a patrol after receiving numerous complaints from locals about the disruptive behavior of some tourists within the national park. During the operation, nine foreign tourists were caught violating regulations—most commonly jaywalking—and were fined on the spot.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Halla remains a major tourist attraction. In fact, in 2023 alone, nearly one million people visited the mountain.
Park officials urge all visitors to respect nature and follow the rules to ensure the preservation of this precious natural site.
