Gwangyang-si Launches Special Crackdown on Illegal Activities in Forests During Summer

Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Cooking and Garbage Dumping in Forests During July and August

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Gwangyang City in Jeonnam announced that from July 1 to August 31, during the summer vacation season, it will form a crackdown team composed of forest special judicial police officers to conduct special crackdowns on illegal activities in forests in areas where the number of visitors using valleys and streams within the forest is expected to increase.

The city plans to focus on cracking down on illegal cooking or dumping of waste in the forest, illegal digging or harvesting of forest products such as moss, and suspected illegal mountain area damage.

Guidance and crackdowns will be conducted mainly around Baegunsan, where illegal activities are expected to occur frequently during the vacation season. Following the principle of guidance first and crackdown later, notices will be posted, and illegal activities detected after guidance will be strictly punished according to relevant laws.

If caught dumping waste or garbage illegally in the forest, a fine of up to 1 million won may be imposed, and if the forest is illegally converted for other uses, imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won may be imposed.

Baek Hyung-geun, Director of Forest Income Division, said, “We ask for the interest and cooperation of citizens to protect the forest by using designated camping facilities within the forest and taking their trash back with them.”

He added, “We will continue to carry out promotional activities and crackdowns to eradicate illegal activities in the forest, striving to improve citizens’ awareness of forest protection and establish a sound forest culture.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr