The highest mountain in South Korea, Hallasan, is facing an unexpected environmental threat: instant noodles.
According to a press release, the management agency of this mountain has launched a campaign urging hikers not to pour instant noodle broth onto the mountain or into streams to protect the “clean environment.”
This 1,947-meter-high mountain is the “roof of South Korea” and is located on the famous tourist island of Jeju. This site attracts a large number of hikers, and carrying instant noodles for “energy” during the trek is quite popular.
Instant noodles are a popular food among long-distance hikers in South Korea. (Photo illustration: Korea Times)
The management agency has erected several banners calling for the conservation of the mountain for future generations and has requested that hikers should only use half the amount of water when cooking instant noodles.
The reason instant noodle broth is harmful to the environment, according to this agency, is due to its high salt content, which threatens aquatic species and pollutes the soil.
According to South Korean media, rest areas on the mountain prohibit sales and cooking; however, hikers still bring hot water bottles to cook their noodles. Due to the large number of hikers, the trash bins available on the mountain can only accommodate solid waste, not enough to hold leftover noodle broth, leading many to dispose of it directly on the ground or in toilets.
Hallasan is the highest peak in South Korea. (Photo: Yonhap)
The “anti-noodle broth” campaign on Hallasan is receiving considerable support on social media. Many people are calling for a complete ban on bringing food to the mountain, similar to policies in many other mountains.
The Jeju police conducted a large-scale inspection on June 25, following numerous complaints from residents regarding the behavior of tourists on the island. According to authorities, 9 foreign tourists were fined on the spot on the first day of implementing the new control measures.
Hallasan Mountain is part of the UNESCO-recognized Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes heritage site. According to statistics from the South Korean government, last year, 923,680 visitors came to this scenic area.
Meanwhile, the trend of eating instant noodles while hiking is becoming increasingly popular even outside of South Korea, with the famous Korean ramyun noodles being sold at the peak of the Matterhorn in Switzerland.
