"Just for Fun" Chuseok Night and Acorn Gathering... Citizens' 'Frustration' [Han Reporter Goes]

Illegal Harvesting of Wild Vegetables, Chestnuts, and Acorns During Hiking
"Didn't Know It Was Illegal", "Isn't It Fun?"
Some Carry Large Bags and Tongs to Openly Pick Chestnuts
Imprisonment or Fines Upon Detection... Korea Forest Service "Strict Crackdown on Illegal Activities in Forests"

A banner to eradicate illegal harvesting of forest products on a hiking trail in Seoul. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "I didn't know it was illegal.", "It was because of Chuseok."

With the Chuseok holiday, more citizens are enjoying light hiking with relatives and family. However, during this process, there have been cases of collecting wild vegetables, chestnuts, and acorns, which has caused frowns.

In some cases, people can be easily seen preparing large bags and tongs, deliberately going out to collect chestnuts. However, this requires permission, and illegal collection can result in fines.

Kim, a man in his 30s who recently climbed a mountain in Seoul with his family, said, "While climbing the mountain, I saw people whose purpose was not hiking or walking but collecting chestnuts and acorns," and pointed out, "What about wild animals like squirrels living in the mountain preparing for winter?" He added, "They are not even picking up fallen fruits but shaking the trees... it's a nuisance."

One might think that a few chestnuts or acorns are not a big problem, but all fruits growing in the mountains, as well as leaves, timber, soil, and stones, are all the property of the forest owner.

Therefore, to collect forest products (products obtained from forests), one must obtain the consent of the forest owner and get permission according to related laws (Act on the Creation and Management of Forest Resources/Forest Resources Act).

Violating this can result in imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won. Also, if such acts are committed in national parks, under the Natural Parks Act, imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million won can be imposed.

However, picking up forest products such as chestnuts that have already fallen to the ground does not constitute illegal collection. Nevertheless, disputes over property rights with forest owners may arise.

Illegal harvesting of forest products reduces the food available for wild animals, ultimately destroying nature. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

Illegal collection of forest products continues unabated. According to the Northern Regional Forest Service's recent review of illegal forest product collection enforcement over three years in its jurisdiction, the number of enforcement cases steadily increased from 135 in 2018 to 163 in 2019 and 177 last year.

In fact, on May 11, a citizen collecting wild vegetables in a national forest located at an altitude of 800m in Gari, Inje-eup, Inje-gun, Gangwon Province, was caught by an enforcement team belonging to the Forest Service.

At the time, the man in his 60s explained, "I just picked a few wild vegetables while climbing the mountain," but it was reported that he collected over 7 kg of wild vegetables.

Public opinion toward citizens collecting chestnuts, acorns, or wild vegetables during hiking with thoughts like "it's no big deal" is cold. Park, a late 20s office worker, said, "They may think picking up chestnuts is just for fun, but isn't it destroying nature?" and added, "I hope they just look with their eyes for the sake of nature."

Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Forest Service has been conducting special crackdowns on illegal activities in forests in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Yeongseo areas of Gangwon Province from the 13th until November 30. This crackdown aims to minimize forest damage caused by destruction in forest protection zones and illegal collection of forest products due to the rapid increase in autumn hikers.

Choi Su-cheon, head of the Northern Regional Forest Service, said, "Recently, illegal collection of forest products without permission and forest damage in protection zones have become more diverse and collective, so we plan to strictly handle them according to related laws," and added, "Special attention and caution are required."