Plastic straws and disposable paper cups, which were scheduled to be removed from restaurants and cafes, will continue to be allowed. This is because the government decided to extend the guidance period for the ‘plastic straw regulation’ and fully allow paper cups, which were supposed to restrict the use of paper cups. Although the justification was to reduce the burden on small business owners, there are also criticisms that it is a ‘look-alike’ conscious of ‘vote sentiment’ ahead of next year’s general election.
As the government policy changed overnight, eco-friendly product companies were on the verge of bankruptcy. This is because there is no place to sell the paper straws and rice straws that were intended to be supplied instead of plastic straws. ″If policies are changed with the flip of a palm, who will protect the government’s policies? I don’t trust the government. Who will do the research and development?″ (Eco-friendly straw manufacturer official) As trust in government policies is eroding, the market for eco-friendly products itself is collapsing.
Under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, the Ministry of Environment is loosening the bar on large-scale development projects in the name of ‘regulation rationalization’. Some areas of Heuksan Island, where a small airport is being built, were lifted from the national park, and the strategic environmental impact assessment of the Jeju 2nd Airport and Gadeokdo New Airport projects was also passed. In Seoraksan National Park, the five-color cable car project also began construction. In the future, plans are being pursued to simplify the ‘environmental impact assessment’.
Developed countries, recognizing the severity of the climate crisis, are rushing to join the trend of environmentally friendly regulations. However, in Korea, there is a lot of confusion due to environmental policies that vary depending on the administration. The solar energy industry, which President Yoon Seok-yeol pointed out as a “interest cartel,” is rapidly shrinking and even large companies are implementing voluntary retirement. There is growing pressure from the international community to increase the use of renewable energy such as solar and wind power, but is Korea properly prepared? What is happening at the Ministry of Environment following the president’s order that “all ministries should become the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy”? <스트레이트>conducted in-depth coverage of the Yoon Seok-yeol government’s environmental policies and ability to respond to the climate crisis.
2023-12-17 01:19:03
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