Exports and imports of waste for Korea will encounter revised rules starting April 1. The Ministry of Environment said a new enforcement ordinance will be implemented to regulate importers and exporters of waste; more detailed information about waste transactions will be required.
The ministry said the change was necessary to prevent international conflicts involving illegal waste, which are becoming more common. In 2018, Korea decided to return to the country 5,100 tons of household waste that had been illegally shipped to the Philippines. This was time-consuming due to the sheer amount of waste and a lack of rules. The waste was shipped over several voyages and was not incinerated until last December.