Gyeonggi-do Detects 158 Illegal Activities in Development Restriction Zones Using Drones

A photo taken by Gyeonggi Province using drones to capture suspected illegal activities within the development-restricted area

Gyeonggi Province revealed that it detected a total of 158 cases of illegal activities within development-restricted zones last year using drones.

On the 15th, Gyeonggi Province announced that it conducted drone-based inspections targeting 15 development-restricted zones in three areas?Siheung, Namyangju, and Yangju?last year, detecting 123 cases (78%) related to construction activities, 34 cases (21%) of land alteration, and 1 case (1%) of logging, totaling 158 suspected illegal activities.

Out of the 158 cases, 56 were confirmed as illegal activities after on-site investigations, with 16 cases restored to their original state. Administrative actions are underway for 40 cases. Additionally, 45 recently recorded suspected illegal cases among the 158 have been referred to city and county authorities for on-site investigations.

For illegal activities involving construction or land alteration within development-restricted zones without permits or notifications, strict administrative measures such as restoration orders, imposition of compliance fines, and prosecutions are enforced.

This year, Gyeonggi Province plans to conduct drone-based inspections at least three times annually after surveying the needs of cities and counties.

Ryu Ho-guk, Director of the Regional Policy Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "The use of drones for monitoring illegal activities in development-restricted zones has been evaluated as highly effective," adding, "We will do our best to detect illegal activities early to preserve the development-restricted zones well."