Soup broth is damaging South Korea’s highest mountain, warn officials

CNN —

South Korea’s highest mountain is facing environmental damage from an unexpected source – instant noodles.

The National Park Office of Mount Halla has started a campaign to encourage hikers not to dump ramyun broth on the mountain or in its streams in order to preserve a “clean environment,” according to a press release.

Mount Halla, measuring 1,947 meters (1.2 miles) tall, is the country’s highest mountain and located on popular vacation destination Jeju Island. In South Korea, it’s trendy for hikers to bring ramyun – a type of instant noodles served in a disposable cup – along with them to eat during the day.

Banners put up around the mountain read “let’s preserve the clean Mount Halla and pass it on to descendants as it is,” with signs urging the hikers to use only half of the instant soup and water.

Smoking, leaving food and trash, unauthorized entry and drinking are prohibited at the mountain, and those who violate the rules can face penalties of up to 2,000,000 won ($1,442.15).

“Ramen broth contains a lot of salt, so discarding it along the valley’s water stream makes it impossible for aquatic insects to live in contaminated water,” the National Park Office wrote in a Facebook post.

Photo taken Oct. 20, 2023, from Fujiyoshida in Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture shows a cap cloud over the top of Mt. Fuji. (Photo by Kyodo News via Getty Images)

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Jeju police reportedly conducted a brief crackdown on June 25, following repeated complaints from residents concerning tourist behavior on the island.

Visitors can be ticketed or fined for actions including littering, public urination and smoking in designated no-smoking