By Wonsuh Song
During my visit to Korea in the summer of 2025, I was struck by how much the country had advanced. The skyline grew taller, technology shone brighter, and services impressed with their efficiency. Yet, amid all this progress, one area still lags behind: restroom culture.
Despite recent improvements, many public restrooms still display signs instructing users not to flush toilet paper. The issue is not water pressure, but the toilets themselves. Modern toilets are designed to flush paper easily, as it breaks down more quickly than human waste. When toilets cannot do so, it reveals outdated infrastructure.
The presence of waste bins inside restrooms creates another set of problems. With lids, users hesitate to touch them and often leave paper stacked outside. Without lids, soiled tissues remain exposed, creating an unsanitary and unpleasant sight. Even in upscale restaurants or modern facilities, such scenes can shatter the experience.
The gender gap adds further complications. In men’s restrooms, seated toilet use is less frequent. In women’s restrooms, however, everyone must sit, resulting in higher toilet paper use and greater waste buildup. Adding to this are the challenges of handling sanitary products, making the bin system even more problematic.
The solution is clear: remove big trash bins from public restrooms and install toilets capable of handling toilet paper fully. This is not just about convenience; it is about elevating hygiene standards and service quality to match Korea’s advanced image. Foreign visitors often cite restrooms as one of their most unpleasant cultural shocks—an issue that directly affects national reputation.
As Korea continues to innovate on a global scale, restroom culture should not be left behind. What seems like a minor issue is, in fact, an everyday concern for all. Only when restrooms reflect the same level of progress as the rest of society will Korea’s claim to global leadership truly resonate.
Wonsuh Song (Ph.D.)
Full-time Lecturer, Shumei University / NKNGO Forum Representative
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