From May 27th, the enforcement decree of the “Act on the Prevention of Light Pollution due to Artificial Lighting” takes effect.

           This law is about the punishment of lighting that goes beyond the standards within the lighting environment management zones specified by local governments to prevent light pollution. Light pollution means the phenomenon that pleasant living is interrupted by excessive night lighting. The World Health Organization defined the light pollution as a *carcinogen. In 2016, according to the International Joint Research Team, Korea ranked second among G20 countries with 89.4%, the ratio of light pollution damaged areas. To solve this situation, government has come up with the strengthened law.

           Due to the revision, mayors and provincial governors have to implement the light pollution prevention plan within one year from the date of the establishment of the plan. Furthermore, local government must install a committee to deliberate on the plan. In the past, the install of the committee was autonomous. In addition, the amounts of minimum fines levied on initial violations rises from 50,000 won to 300,000 won. If someone violates three times, the amount will go up to one million won. Lastly, in the revised bill, standards for designating inspection institutions specialized in light pollution are prepared. Currently, local governments are responsible for controlling light pollution by using their own officials. However, as the number of lighting environment management zones and complaints increased recently, officials are having a hard time with the control. To solve this situation, the act allows the local government to entrust controls to an inspection agency if it lacks the manpower to manage light pollution for active response to light pollution complaints.

           Lee Eun-Il (Prof. of the Medical Science, Korea University) said, “The revision of the Act on the Prevention of Light Pollution due to Artificial Lighting was made by understanding the light pollution broadly as part of environmental problems. Therefore, the revised act will have a positive impact on people's health by encouraging more active movements of local government in designating the lighting environment management zones. However, it is also necessary to manage the lights of billboards or cars that are not subject of the law.”

By Lee Un-Seok, Desk Editor

stst060500@pusan.ac.kr

*Carcinogen: A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.