Gangwon-do Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Farmland Conversion

9.27~10.22 Cross-Inspection of Illegal Conversion, Use Change, Unauthorized Farmland Use, and Illegal Waste Landfilling in Cities and Counties

Gangwon Provincial Government

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province is stepping up measures against illegal farmland conversion along with intensive crackdowns.

According to the province on the 26th, from October 27 to October 22, cross-inspections will be conducted between the province and city/counties to eradicate illegal farmland conversion.

In particular, besides basic inspections such as illegal conversion and land use changes, there will be focused crackdowns on the fraudulent use of farmland facilities as solar power generation facilities and illegal waste dumping.

The fraudulent use of farmland facilities as solar power generation facilities refers to cases where roofs of mushroom cultivation houses, livestock barns, insect breeding houses, etc. can be installed without conversion permits, but no actual farming is conducted and only solar power generation business is operated.

The province plans to receive data on farmland installations from the Korea Energy Agency.

Illegal waste dumping refers to unauthorized dumping or abandonment of waste on farmland, and plans are in place to strengthen intensive investigations based on media reports and complaints.

Kang Hee-seong, Director of the Provincial Agricultural Policy Bureau, said, "With the LH scandal emphasizing farmland preservation, we will enhance transparency of crackdowns through cross-inspections between city/counties and thoroughly manage follow-ups to prevent farmland from being used for speculative purposes."