South Korea has announced plans to completely remove tire mats installed along hiking trails by 2025. (Image courtesy of the Korea National Park Service)
SEOUL, Jun. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – In a move to enhance the natural aesthetic of its national parks, South Korea has announced plans to completely remove tire mats installed along hiking trails by 2025.
The Korea National Park Service, under the Ministry of Environment, revealed on June 18 that tire mats covering 20.17 kilometers of trails across 17 national parks, including Jirisan, will be dismantled over the next three years.
The tire mats, made by weaving discarded tires into rope-like structures, were primarily installed in mountainous national parks like Seoraksan, Deogyusan, and Jirisan, known for their heavy snowfall and steep terrain.
Tire mats (Image courtesy of the Korea National Park Service)
However, complaints arose regarding the strong rubber odor during summer months and the mats’ detrimental impact on natural landscapes, leading to a suspension of new installations in 2017.
In March, the park service formulated a comprehensive plan to remove all tire mats from national parks to enhance their nature-friendly values. Leveraging trail maintenance projects and specialized repair personnel, the agency aims to progressively remove the mats across 122 sections in 17 national parks, starting with Jirisan, by 2025.
To maintain safety without compromising natural aesthetics, the tire mats will be replaced with mats made from natural materials like coconut fibers, fostering an environment-friendly and secure hiking experience.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
