[The Hwankyung Ilbo] While the number of complaints against light pollution increased from 3,850 in 2014 to 7,002 last year, only four local governments, including Seoul, Gwangju, Incheon and Gyeonggi, can apply the criteria for light emission.

According to the results of a 2016 international joint research conducted by satellite imagery, 91% of the population in Korea cannot see the Milky Way due to artificial brightness of more than 688μcd / m².

Under the current law, the criteria for light emission are only applicable to areas designated as the lighting environment management area.

“Even though seven years have passed since the Act on the Prevention of Light Pollution due to Artificial Lightening was enforced, more areas have not been designated as lighting environment management areas,” Rep. Shin Chang-hyun said. “Since there is a five-year grace period after the designation of lighting environment management areas, it is urgent to designate the areas to crack down on violations.”

조수빈 리포터  press@hkbs.co.kr

<저작권자 © 환경일보, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>