A Club Blocking the Path to the Valley... When Protested, They Said "Handle It Yourself"

Off-Road Club Members Criticized for 'Minpae Parking'
"Move Your Car" Requests Met with "Handle It Yourself" Response

Members of an off-road club caused a public nuisance by parking in the middle of a mountain trail to enjoy water activities, sparking controversy.

Club members who parked inconsiderately at the entrance to the path leading to the valley.
[Photo by Online Community]

On the 4th, a post titled "Really Angry About the Club Blocking the Path" was uploaded to an online community. The author, Mr. A, who participated in a walking event at the Musimcheon source organized by the Chungbuk Arts Association Eastern Warehouse, began by saying, "To get straight to the point, we couldn't walk all the way to the source."

Photos shared by Mr. A show cars parked in a line in the middle of a narrow mountain trail. These vehicles are not regular sedans or SUVs but off-road vehicles. Mr. A mentioned a specific club by name and explained, "We tried to get up to the Musimcheon source but couldn't because the club members had blocked the path with their inconsiderate parking and were enjoying themselves in the valley."

Mr. A added, "There was a wider parking area just a little below the road where the cars were parked, but whether to show off their off-road vehicles or because they were too lazy to walk, they just parked along the roadside and spent several hours setting up tables and enjoying the valley." He sarcastically noted, "When I asked them to move their cars, their response was 'Do whatever you want.'" He further expressed regret, saying, "Individually, they might be fine people, but seeing such incidents happen frequently in the club, I wish the club activities were more mature."

Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as, "This is why people have prejudices against clubs," "There are always people who are cowards alone but think they are great when they gather," "What if a forest fire breaks out with them acting like that in the valley," "Those cars can't even be towed," and "Please make sure to report them next time."

According to the Enforcement Decree of the Natural Parks Act, drinking alcohol in designated areas within national, provincial, and county parks is subject to fines. A first offense results in a fine of 50,000 KRW, and repeated offenses incur fines of 100,000 KRW each. Between 2012 and 2018, there were 64 safety accidents and 10 fatal accidents caused by drinking in national parks.