People embarrassed by government's anti-environmental policy

Single-use paper cups are piled up on a table at a restaurant in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

The government is facing criticism for taking a step backward from environmental protection and confusing many citizens, with its decision to withdraw a ban on single-use paper cups at cafes and restaurants.

When announcing the decision on Tuesday, the Ministry of Environment cited the financial burden on small business owners amid growing inflation concerns as a reason for scrapping the ban.

However, the decision embarrassed many who have complied with the regulation since its grace period began on Nov. 24 last year, based on their awareness and recognition that environmental crises have become a serious matter around the world.

Some critics accused the government of economic populism, which goes against ongoing campaigns by the international community, to woo voters ahead of general elections slated for April next year.

Besides the withdrawal of the ban on disposable paper cups, the ministry also announced a decision to extend the grace period for another ban on plastic straws at cafes.

Violating these two regulations would have resulted in a fine of up to 3 million won ($2,300) after their grace period ends on Nov. 23 this year.

The ministry also extended the grace period for a ban on plastic bags at convenience stores, but it did not specify the length which was construed as being indefinite. The only regulation that will remain in place is a ban on the use of plastic cups at cafes.

“I sometimes find the environmental regulations irksome but have just followed them, as I thought climate change and other environmental problems faced by all of us are very serious,” said Shin Won-kyung, a 43-year-old housewife living in Jungnang District in Seoul.

“I have two young children ― a four-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter. I don’t want my children and other future generations to be left with a legacy of pollution and destruction. I don’t understand why the government made such decisions at this time.”

In the survey conducted by the environment ministry last year, 97 percent of the respondents said the use of disposable products should be further reduced, while 87 percent said environmental regulations should be enhanced.

However, the ministry appeared to deny the results of its own survey during the latest announcement.

“Public opinions at that time could be different from the opinions today. In addition, a survey cannot reflect 100 percent of the public opinions,” Vice Minister Lim Sang-jun of the Ministry of Environment said during a briefing.

Vice Minister Lim Sang-jun of the Ministry of Environment speaks during a media briefing at the Government Complex in Sejong, Tuesday. Yonhap

Environmental groups also criticized the government for “giving up regulating the use of plastic” at a time when the international community has taken the issue seriously and is moving to develop a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution.

“Instead of supporting small business owners for the past grace period to establish the regulations, the environment ministry chose an easy option to give up on regulating the use of plastic,” said Kim Na-ra, a plastic campaigner at Greenpeace.

“Considering the environmental impact posed by disposable paper cups, the ministry’s latest announcement will take the country further away from the end of plastic pollution.”

Green Korea Incheon noted that the ministry made a fool of law-abiding small business owners who have adhered to the regulations during the grace period by, for example, installing dishwashers to wash cups.

“Nobody will be able to trust the ministry anymore due to its flip-flopping on policy,” the organization said in a statement.

“Regulations should be predictable and stable, so local governments and businesses can be prepared and draw up countermeasures. If the ministry changes its guidelines frequently, it will lose public confidence and controlling power. Then, there is no reason for its being.”

Opposition parties joined the criticism against the government.

Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Jae-myung labeled the government’s decision as populism stemming from the pursuit of political gain.

“Recently, the government has often changed important policies, which were created through social consensus to address many problems faced by the globe,” Lee said during a party’s Supreme Council meeting on Wednesday.

“The government should consider the future and lives of the people, not political gain, to decide on policies.”