Illegal farm waste burning in Korea claimed another life on Sunday, as a farmer in his 60s died in a fire in Nonsan. Local authorities believe the man ignited the blaze himself to dispose of plastic waste. Officials at the Nonsan Fire Station responded to the fire at around 2:35 p.m. and extinguished it within 30 minutes.
Rescue crews discovered the man’s body near a greenhouse, with early reports indicating cardiac arrest due to smoke inhalation. The fire caused around 300,000 won in property damage. Although relatively small, the blaze highlights an alarming trend.
Illegal farm waste burning in Korea continues to occur despite clear laws banning the practice. Burning waste materials, especially plastic, releases toxic fumes and poses a severe health risk. Additionally, these fires frequently spread, threatening farmland, greenhouses, and nearby forests.
The government has outlawed open burning near forests and agricultural areas. Still, farmers across rural regions continue the practice with little consequence. Offenders risk fines of up to 1 million won for illegal waste disposal and up to 300,000 won for lighting fires near forested land.
In March, uncontrolled waste burning triggered one of the worst wildfire outbreaks in the country’s recent history. A major blaze in Angye-myeon, North Gyeongsang Province, originated from a farmer burning orchard debris. That fire, along with others nearby, killed and injured dozens and caused enormous environmental and economic damage.
Prosecutors later charged the man responsible with violating the Forest Protection Act. Another man in his 50s faced charges for starting a separate fire while tending a family gravesite. Both suspects may also face compensation lawsuits for damages caused by their actions.
Illegal farm waste burning in Korea persists in part because of lax enforcement. Between December 2024 and March 2025, officials documented over 300 cases in the Gyeongsang region. Despite this, authorities issued only warnings, with no fines or further legal action taken.
Environmental advocates argue that stronger penalties and better public education could reduce these incidents. Burning waste may seem convenient, but it carries significant risks. It endangers lives, pollutes the air, and threatens valuable farmland.
The Ministry of Environment has urged rural residents to adopt safer waste disposal methods. Some local governments have introduced collection programmes for farm plastics and plant debris. However, participation remains inconsistent, and public awareness of the risks stays low.
As another tragic death brings the issue back into focus, experts stress the need for change. Without serious enforcement and education, illegal farm waste burning in Korea will likely continue, with potentially deadly consequences.
