Changwon City Park Golf Association's Illegal Activities Cross the Line... Changwon Special City Takes Strong Administrative Measures

Changwon Daesan Park Golf Course Faces Permit Cancellation Threat Due to Unauthorized Occupation by Association

Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam received a river occupancy permit (90 holes of park golf course, 133,000㎡) from the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office on September 26 last year to normalize the facilities of Daesan Park Golf Course.

Changwon Special City Hall.

The city informed and sought cooperation, stating that it had no choice but to completely restrict the temporary use of Daesan Park Golf Course (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Park Golf Course’) for maintenance work, but due to the non-cooperation and obstruction of construction by the Changwon City Park Golf Association (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Association’), the work has not yet started.

Recently, the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office notified Changwon City by official letter that if the private organization continues illegal activities (occupation, expansion, operation, etc.) related to the park golf course managed under the river occupancy permit or fails to comply with the conditions of the river occupancy permit, it will have no choice but to impose disadvantages such as cancellation of the river occupancy permit and restoration according to the River Act violations.

Accordingly, Changwon City has given administrative guidance to the Association several times, but the Association has not complied and continues illegal activities to maintain vested interests.

As a result, if the river occupancy permit, which Changwon City has struggled to obtain from the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, is canceled or other disadvantageous measures are taken, the damage will inevitably be passed on to citizens and park golf enthusiasts.

A city official stated, “We plan to take strong administrative sanctions, such as imposing compensation fees, against the Association’s illegal activities that violate the River Act.”

Meanwhile, although the city unilaterally terminated the ‘Park Golf Course Management and Operation Consignment Agreement’ with the Association on November 10 last year due to violation of the agreement, such as restricting use by general citizens (non-members), the Association continues illegal activities such as unauthorized occupation and operation of the park golf course.