PHOTOS: Seoul's pop-up store street faces growing trash problem

SEOUL, August 7 (AJU PRESS) - Seongsu-dong has emerged as Seoul's new hotspot for pop-up stores. These temporary shops, which operate briefly before closing, have become a major attraction for visitors. However, they also face significant environmental challenges.

The transient nature of pop-up stores often means that recyclable construction materials are not used. The packaging waste generated by these stores also contributes to the growing trash problem.

The influx of tourists exacerbates the issue further. Visitors frequently leave behind discarded beverages and personal waste, which end up scattered across the streets.

A pop-up store in Yeonmujang-gil area of Seongsu-dong Seongdong District Seoul on Aug 2 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — This photo shows a pop-up store in Seongsu-dong, Seoul on Aug. 2, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Yeonmujang-gil in Seongsu-dong Seongdong District Seoul famous for its pop-up stores bustles with visitors and vehicles on Aug 2 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Yeonmujang-gil in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, famous for its pop-up stores, bustles with visitors and vehicles on Aug. 2, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

The Yeonmujang-gil area in Seongsu-dong on Aug 2 2024 where old pop-up stores are being dismantled and new ones are being set up AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Workers build a new pop-up store in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on Aug. 2, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

A private waste collection vehicle filled with debris from dismantled pop-up stores in Seongsu-dong on Aug 2 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — A private waste collection vehicle is filled with materials from dismantled pop-up stores in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on August 2, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

An alley near the pop-up store street in Seongsu-dong on Aug 2 2024 showing the ongoing conflict over trash accumulation AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — A bag of trash is seen in an alley near the pop-up store street in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on August 2, 2024.
AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Torn posters littering the pop-up store street in Seongsu-dong on Aug 2 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Torn posters litter the pop-up store street in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on August 2, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

An alley near the pop-up store street in Seongsu-dong filled with trash left behind by visitors on Aug 2 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Trash left behind by visitors litters an alley near the pop-up store street in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on August 2, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Park Jong-hyeok qkrwhdgur2164@ajupress.com