Position Paper
Committee: United Nations Environment Programme
Delegation: South Korea
Delegate: Sakina Ghias
School: Horizon International School
Topic 1: Marine Plastic Pollution
Honourable Chair and Distinguished Delegates,
Marine Plastic Pollution is a growing global crisis. It poses a significant threat not just
to the marine ecosystems and the planet, but it can also be extremely detrimental for
human health. Marine plastic pollution has a significant impact on the earth, and on
marine life in particular, in a myriad of ways. This includes the endangerment of
marine life that often mistake plastic for food or get entangled in plastic debris. When
plastic is ingested, it can cause severe illness or even death for the marine animals.
In addition, plastic pollution can also be harmful for human health for those who drink
the polluted water. Plastic materials inside the human body can act as carcinogens,
leading to neurological problems or immune disorders among other illnesses.
Further, plastics derived from fossil fuels contribute to climate change and global
warming.
In 2018, South Korea produced approximately 1.77 million metric tonnes of plastic
waste in 2018 and around 200.000 tons of plastic enter the sea from the South
Korean shores. This has a major impact on South Korea including ecosystem
damage wherein the influx of plastic waste harms marine ecosystems, including
coral reefs and seagrass beds. South Korea also has a significant plastics industry,
valued at approximately $3.17 billion in 2023.
South Korea takes the problems associated with marine plastic pollution seriously
and has been committed to taking steps to combat this escalating issue for over a
decade. This includes banning single-use plastic bags, straws, and cups in various
establishments to reduce plastic waste; public awareness campaigns so they can
educate the public; and active participation in international agreements and initiatives
to overcome marine plastic pollution. In addition, several programs have been
developed and implemented domestically, such as a goal to reduce marine litter by
half by 2030, pledging to develop technology to collect and detect marine pollution,
and initiating a project to support sustainable marine debris management programs.
Moreover, South Korea works with Korean civil society groups wants to reduce
plastic production by 75% by 2040. South Korea is also investing in advanced
recycling technologies for better manage plastic waste and funds research to
develop biodegradable plastics.
Due to the implementation of such practices, South Korea has already seen a
significant reduction in marine pollution cases, the number of incidents has dropped
by 20% compared to 2019. Additionally in 2020, South Korea was able to collect
138,000 tons of debris from coastal areas to prevent plastic pollution.
In conclusion, attending to the problem of plastic pollution is vital for a sustainable
future and South Korea is ready to collaborate with different countries to develop
solutions that overcome this challenge.