The government of S Korea released an official announcement on waste import restrictions on June 29.
The purpose of the restrictions is to limit the imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) so that recycling of waste plastics in South Korea can be promoted, waste plastic accumulation in South Korea can be slowed down and environmental pollution can be reduced.
The restrictions do not apply to recycled materials not subject to waste import reporting, e.g. uncontaminated flakes and pellets. Importing as usual is allowed for items that already received an import permit and whose report is already accepted.