South Korean Mayor Deliberately Dumps Trash on Clean Beach for Coastal Clean Up Day

Lee Dong-jin, mayor of Jindo county in South Jeolla province apologized for the deception, causing trouble, and said the event was meant to “raise awareness about the seriousness of coastal waste.”

“We brought in waste styrofoam and other coastal trash gathered from nearby areas so the 600 participants could carry out clean-up activities,” Lee said in a statement via AFP.

The mayor added 100% of the trash placed on the beach was removed by the volunteers and none of it made its way into the ocean.

Jindo is South Korea’s third largest island, Newsweek reported.

Every year, volunteers from 100 countries join together to clean up their beaches. Other countries like Thailand, United States, and the Philippines also participate in the annual International Coastal Cleanup Day.