Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Boracay reopens - with new environmental protection rules
Fishermen ride a powerboat at sunset on the Philippine island of Boracay on Oct. 25. AFP
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
The Philippines has reopened its beautiful island of Boracay after a six-month restoration ― but with strict new rules to protect the environment.
The sandy idyll was closed to visitors in April following President Rodrigo Duterte's orders to clean what he called a “cesspool.”
Despite the long-awaited reopening, beach parties on Boracay will not be the same. New rules now ban drinking and smoking on the beach and limit the number of tourists and hotels.
Only 19,000 tourists will be allowed each day, while only half of its 12,000 hotel rooms can be booked.
Masseuses, vendors and bonfires are no longer allowed on the beach.
All water sports, except swimming, have been banned and three casinos on the island have been shut down.
Years of mass tourism ― 2 million tourists every year ― had polluted Boracay with mountains of garbage and human waste. And the restoration project is not yet finished.
The government will continue to clean up the island and oversee renovations and restoration.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said she hopes the new Boracay will create a “culture of sustainable tourism” in the country.
The archipelago country of the Philippines boasts more than 7,000 islands. Boracay is among the most popular with tourists.
It is also a favorite spot for Koreans. The Philippines' Malay Municipal Tourism Office said 262,488 foreigners visited the island from January to February. Of these, 88,662 were Koreans.