Hiking Trail Club Member Smoking... Ignoring Repeated Warnings Saying "No Fire Will Start"

Hiking Club Members Smoking in the Middle of the Trail
When Confronted, They Asked "Why Can't We Smoke?" and Insulted Others

A ridiculous story has been reported where a man smoking in the mountains was told, "What if a forest fire breaks out?" but the man responded, "What's the problem?"

On the 3rd, a post titled "Is there a way to report people smoking in the mountains?" was uploaded on an online community. The author, Mr. A, who visited Muryongsan located in Ulsan, began by saying, "I encountered six members of a bicycle club smoking cigarettes in the middle of the hiking trail while hiking."

Concerned that cigarette butts could cause a forest fire, Mr. A pointed out, "You shouldn't smoke in the mountains." However, they shamelessly retorted, "Why can't we smoke?", "What's the problem?", and "There won't be a fire."

Mr. A explained the situation, saying, "(When I pointed it out) they spoke informally and then even cursed at me," and "After calling around, I was told that due to a lack of personnel and unless the enforcement team witnesses it directly on site, it is difficult to impose fines." He added, "I am really angry. If a forest fire breaks out, many people will suffer damage," and asked, "I want to report it firmly, but I hear punishment is difficult. I don't know what to do."

Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as, "Why do they have to smoke even in the mountains?", "People causing trouble don't realize they are causing trouble," "Will you take responsibility if a forest fire breaks out?", "There must be many children visiting the mountain, and this is what they get to see," "Isn't hiking supposed to make you healthy? Why go all the way there to smoke cigarettes that are bad for your health?", and "Went to smell phytoncides but only smelled cigarette smoke."

Meanwhile, if a forest fire occurs, it should be reported immediately to the fire station or the Korea Forest Service's forest fire situation room. Smoking or possessing flammable materials within national parks or provincial/county parks can result in fines of 600,000 KRW for the first offense, 1,000,000 KRW for the second, and 2,000,000 KRW for the third.

Even if a forest fire is caused accidentally, criminal punishment applies, and if the local government claims compensation under civil law, financial restitution must be made. When a forest fire occurs, special judicial police officers from local governments investigate and inspect to determine the cause of ignition. If the person who caused the fire is identified, even without intent, judicial procedures are taken, and they may face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW.