Unauthorized Occupation of Railroad Corporation-Owned National Land Equals Area of 610 Soccer Fields [2024 National Audit]

Assemblyman Kim Gi-pyo "The Practice of Free Use of State-Owned Property Must Be Eradicated"

Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The area of state-owned land owned by the Korea Rail Network Authority that has been illegally occupied by the public for use as farmland or warehouses has been found to be equivalent to the size of 610 soccer fields.

On the 11th, Kim Ki-pyo, a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, analyzed the Korea Rail Network Authority's "Status of State-owned Land Management and Illegal Occupation" and found that over the past five years (2019?2023), the Authority imposed compensation fees totaling 36.2 billion KRW on unauthorized occupants of state property. However, it was revealed that 13.2 billion KRW, or 36% of the imposed amount, remains unpaid.

The total illegally occupied area amounts to 4,352,000㎡, which is equivalent to 610 soccer fields (approximately 7,140㎡ each) and 1.5 times the size of Yeouido.

Looking at the number of illegal occupation cases, area, and compensation fees imposed by year: in 2019, there were 3,110 cases covering 673,000㎡ with 6.8 billion KRW imposed; in 2020, 2,988 cases covering 681,000㎡ with 6.1 billion KRW; in 2021, 3,122 cases covering 887,000㎡ with 7.4 billion KRW; in 2022, 3,147 cases covering 891,000㎡ with 6.6 billion KRW; and in 2023, 3,401 cases covering 1,221,000㎡ with 9.2 billion KRW. Over five years, the illegally occupied area has nearly doubled.

Assemblyman Kim pointed out, "Despite imposing large-scale compensation fees due to negligent management of state-owned land, the fact that more than one-third remains unpaid is tantamount to neglecting state property."

The Authority has been engaged in a lawsuit with the Seoul Metropolitan Government since 2020 regarding illegal occupation of the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail. Including compensation fees from this case, the total imposed amount rises to 78.3 billion KRW, with unpaid fees reaching 55.3 billion KRW. Given the nature of railway land, it is difficult to accept this amount as an excuse for management difficulties.

The reasons for illegal occupation of the Authority’s state-owned land vary, including farmland, storage yards, residences, factories, public facilities, parking lots, restaurants, offices, and retail stores. According to Article 72 of the State Property Act, compensation fees can be imposed on those who use, profit from, or occupy state property without permission or lease contracts.

The case involving the largest area of illegally occupied state-owned land was the abandoned railway site of the Daejeon Southern Connection Line, covering 164,000㎡, equivalent to 23 soccer fields. The longest outstanding compensation fee case is in Jurye-dong, Sasang-gu, Busan, where fees imposed since 2005 have remained unpaid for over 20 years.

Assemblyman Kim said, "In June, the Authority held a 'Visiting State Property Utilization Briefing' targeting 14 real estate trust companies with the aim of exploring new perspectives on utilizing idle railway land. However, it is worth considering whether they are neglecting to properly collect compensation fees for long-term illegally occupied idle land."

He added, "Allowing illegal occupation is itself an act of breach of trust, and unpaid compensation fees mean the state is missing out on rightful revenue. State-owned land is a valuable national asset that must not be left unattended. Fundamental measures are needed to prevent neglect, including regular management system inspections and institutional improvements to enhance the efficiency of compensation fee collection."