Outer Packaging 'Exaggeration' Leads to Trouble... Gyeongbuk Province Cracks Down on Excessive Packaging of Holiday Gifts

Maximum Fine of 3 Million Won Imposed

Gyeongbuk Provincial Government Office.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gyeongbuk Province will crack down on excessive packaging of holiday gift sets until February 4th in celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Gyeongbuk Province views products wrapped in flashy and excessively layered packaging as "empty shells" and plans to impose fines through enforcement.

On the 24th, Gyeongbuk Province announced that it will inspect various holiday gift sets at large local stores such as department stores and large discount stores to reduce unnecessary cost burdens and waste generation caused by excessive packaging.

If the excessive packaging standards are violated, a fine of up to 3 million KRW will be imposed. For the first violation, a fine of 1 million KRW will be imposed, 2 million KRW for the second violation, and 3 million KRW for the third violation.

Packaging frequency and space occupancy ratio will be checked according to the simplified measurement method for packaging materials and methods of products under Article 9, Paragraph 3 of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources.

If the compliance standards are exceeded, the product must undergo a separate inspection by specialized institutions such as the Korea Environment Corporation and the Korea Conformity Laboratories.

Choi Young-sook, Director of the Environment, Forestry and Resources Bureau, said, "There have been many problems recently due to the increase in waste such as disposable products and plastics," and added, "We ask for active cooperation from manufacturers and distributors to prevent unnecessary resource waste during the Lunar New Year holiday period."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.