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<Locations of three dismantled rest areas (yellow)>


As the rest areas located in Songnisan disappear one by one, the number of 'mountain toilets' is increasing.



According to the Songnisan National Park Office today (26th), Naengcheongol (820m above sea level), Geumganggol (720m above sea level), Boeongcheongol (820m above sea level), Geumganggol (720m above sea level) Currently (620m above sea level) the rest area has been demolished.



Existing rest areas were used as restrooms for hikers as well as selling food. However, as some rest areas disappeared, illegal activities of hikers in need of toileting in remote areas of the hiking trails or nearby bushes increased.



Therefore, the national park is asking hikers to go to the toilet before starting.



However, it took about 7 hours and 30 minutes to complete the 20km course from Cheonwangbong Peak and Munmundae to Beopjusa Temple, and realistic problems were pointed out that it was difficult to climb while holding the toilet until reaching the rest area of ​​Sinseondae resting place at 920m above sea level.



On some mountaineering-related websites, there are also posts asking about how to solve the toilet, saying, "I plan to hike Mt. Songni for 7-8 hours, and some say there is a rest area in the middle, and some say there is no."


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In addition, as problems such as odors arise as a result of the aftermath of the demolition of the rest area, there are growing calls for the installation of temporary toilets.



“The rest area was demolished to preserve the natural environment of Mt. Songni, but after that, the clean mountain became dirty with feces and feces,” said the keeper of the mountain lodge at Biro Mountain on the way to Cheonwangbong Peak. necessary," he said.



An official from the Songnisan Office said, "The demolition of environment-damaging facilities such as rest areas is also taking place in other national parks."



On the other hand, according to the Natural Parks Act, a fine of 2 million won is imposed if you go out of the hiking trail and enter a special protected area or temporary access control area of ​​a natural park. If you do, you will be fined 200,000 won.



(Photo = Yonhap News, National Park Service)