By Kim Jeong-do, Director of the ARC Center
The Deposit-Refund System for Disposable Cups is on the verge of extinction. As intended by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, the policy has been effectively neutralized. There was hope that this system—which the Ministry of Environment (now the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; MCEE) under the Yoon government had overtly tried to dismantle through various means—would return to its normal track following the recent insurrection and the subsequent normalization process. Instead, it appears to be meeting its functional end under the Lee Jae-myung administration, which brands itself as a "Government of People's Sovereignty."
Recently, the MCEE under the Lee Jae-myung administration criticized the Deposit-Refund System for Disposable Cups, claiming it inconveniences both vendors and consumers while failing to contribute to waste reduction. Consequently, the ministry announced that instead of a nationwide mandate, the system would be left to the discretion of local governments. But was the Deposit-Refund System for Disposable Cups truly an ineffective policy?
Absolutely not. Jeju Island has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the system. In fact, the return rate, which was in the single digits when the system was first implemented in December 2022, climbed to 30% by March of the following year. It surpassed 50% after June and broke through the 70% mark in August. These achievements were made possible by the commitment and execution of Jeju Province and the Korea Zero Waste Deposit System Management Center (COSMO), along with the efforts of franchise owners who participated for the greater good. Above all, the decisive factor was the active participation of residents who believed in the policy's purpose.
However, the Yoon Suk-yeol administration moved persistently and overtly to undermine the system. They abandoned the national expansion of the policy and accelerated the departure from the Deposit-Refund System for Disposable Cups by allowing the use of disposable paper cups inside stores. There were even revelations of plans to manipulate public opinion to scrap the system by using certain private organizations. Furthermore, as a bill was introduced through the ruling party to make the system voluntary, the policy effectively entered a decommissioning process.
Amidst such overt destabilization by the central government, the Deposit-Refund System for Disposable Cups that had begun to flourish in Jeju started to wither. Even so, the system persists today thanks to the determination of Jeju Province and the participation of its citizens. Recognizing these results, it is reported that the MCEE is now considering delegating legislative authority so that local governments can pursue recycling policies tailored to their regional contexts through local ordinances.
It is truly frustrating to see a policy that has already proven its potential for a virtuous cycle being treated as a nuisance without a fair evaluation. Moreover, the government's stance is difficult to accept: after leading the charge to destabilize and overturn the policy, they now claim the retreat is due to the "inconvenience" of consumers and businesses.
To prevent the collapse and regression of the system, Jeju Province must now show clear resolve. Rather than simply waiting for the central government to amend the law, Jeju should secure the full delegation of authority to restrict disposable items, including the Deposit-Refund System for Disposable Cups, through an amendment to the Jeju Special Act. By doing so, I hope Jeju can take a definitive step toward "2040 Plastic Zero" and ultimately prove that the Deposit-Refund System for Disposable Cups was the right path.
This contribution was published in the Halla Ilbo on January 23, 2026.