These ribbons, once used as trail markers to prevent hikers from getting lost, have in recent years become more of a promotional tool for hiking clubs. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SOKCHO, Oct. 17 (Korea Bizwire) – In a bid to preserve natural habitats and prevent safety hazards, officials at Seoraksan National Park have launched a campaign to discourage hikers from using unauthorized trails, the park administration announced on October 16.
The campaign, which runs through October 31, aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of straying from designated paths. A striking visual element of the initiative is a display of approximately 2,000 ribbons collected from these unofficial routes over the past year.
These ribbons, once used as trail markers to prevent hikers from getting lost, have in recent years become more of a promotional tool for hiking clubs. Park officials say they now pose a threat to tree growth and mar the natural landscape.
“We’re replacing some of these ribbons with signs that read, ‘Unauthorized trails destroy animal and plant habitats,’” said Park Yong-hwan, head of resource conservation at the Seoraksan National Park office. “We hope this will encourage visitors to stick to official paths, thereby ensuring their safety and preserving nature.”
The issue of unauthorized trail use extends beyond Seoraksan. According to data submitted to the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee by the Korea National Park Service, there were 16,586 instances of illegal activities recorded in national parks nationwide over the past five years. Of these, 5,959 cases — or 35% — involved use of unauthorized trails, making it the most common infraction.
Park officials plan to continue the campaign to eliminate the use of unofficial paths. “We urge visitors to use only designated trails to prevent accidents and protect nature,” Park said. “We also encourage active participation in establishing proper hiking culture and practicing carbon neutrality.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
