"I Want to Take My Mother to the National Park"... A Man in His 60s Recklessly Damaged Seoraksan

Unauthorized Tree Cutting and Excavator Use to Dig Land for Grave Installation
"Satisfied with Having My Mother Rested There"

A man in his 60s has been prosecuted for damaging Seoraksan National Park by illegally cutting down trees planted in the park, digging the ground with an excavator, and installing graves and stone stairs. The photo shows a panoramic view of Seoraksan. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Juri] A man in his 60s who built his late mother's grave in a national park was sentenced to probation.

On the 2nd, Judge Park Jinyoung of Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 2 sentenced Mr. A, who was charged with violating the Natural Parks Act, to 6 months in prison with 2 years of probation and ordered 80 hours of community service.

Mr. A is accused of illegally cutting down trees planted in Seoraksan National Park, Inje-gun, Gangwon Province, from May to the end of last May, excavating about 270㎡ of land using an excavator to install a grave and stone stairs, thereby damaging the park.

Regarding the crime, Mr. A reportedly showed no remorse, stating, "I have no regrets. I am satisfied with having enshrined my mother there."

Judge Park stated, "The nature of the crime is not good, and he has a prior record of punishment for violating the Park and Greenery Act in 2019, and has shown no particular sign of remorse."

He added, "However, considering that restoration has been made for the unauthorized land alteration, tree cutting, and septic tank installation, and that restoration has been or is being made for the damage to the plant distribution area, the sentence was determined comprehensively."