In spite of the happiness of returning to normal life, many people have found themselves suffering from the increased frequency of street smoking and litter caused by the sudden lifting of social distancing measures.

As of May 1, 2022, several social distancing policies, including outdoor mask-wearing regulations, had started to be eased.

This was seen as a sign of hope for many people who have suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic for a return to normalcy.

Starting from April 18, 2022, certain social distancing rules such as limited operating hours, restriction of concerts and rallies, private gatherings, and other measures had all begun to be released.

This was hopeful news for self-employed people who were suffering from financial difficulties related to social distancing.

After social distancing was removed, Seoul's streets, which had been empty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, began to bustle once again. It appeared that our lives were getting back to normal.

However, some people have started to be negatively affected by the removal of social distancing policies. As the number of people on the streets began to increase, the cases of littering on the streets have also increased. 

Garbage was found all over the streets, especially on the morning after weekends. Due to the garbage that people have littered, the streets have become filthy.

It is the street cleaners who suffer the most from all the garbage discovered in the early morning when all the shops are closed.

The street cleaners clean up the garbage in the morning so that citizens living around them do not complain about the mess.

However, the people littering in the evening and throughout the day have overwhelmed all of their efforts.

People dump garbage and the streets become polluted again in an instant. 

"As companies shuttered by the COVID-19 outbreak are starting to operate once again," Jeong-yun Park, a street cleaner, lamented, "various waste products such as cigarette butts, snack bags, and food are being carelessly tossed on the street."

He emphasized his displeasure by claiming that the amount of rubbish dumped on the streets has increased significantly compared to the times before the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is not only the street cleaners, but also residents living near Seoul’s major streets, who are suffering from the consequences of these recurring instances of littering.

The noise from the streets and the smell of garbage in the morning are causing problems for residents living near the major streets of Seoul.

One of the residents, Sooa-Hong, expressed her unhappiness, “Every day, especially during the weekends, I can’t sleep because of the noise from the people on the street.

I live on the 5th floor so I can hear them directly.”

In addition, domestic travel has increased not only in Seoul but across the country.

Tourist sites such as beaches and camping areas have become filthy and contaminated from the waste left behind by tourists.

Although this is the first taste of freedom the people have had since the COVID-19 pandemic began, it is not an acceptable reason to litter the streets and disturb other citizens. 

City administration is expected to manage the problem as soon as possible before it worsens to an intolerable degree.

Hyunjin Lee
Grade 9
Cheongna Dalton School