Yeoncheon-gun Designated as Special Management Area for Hantan River Tourist Site

Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province (Governor Kim Deok-hyun) announced on the 19th that it designated a portion of the Hantangang Tourist Site area (approximately 204,600㎡) as a Special Management Area on the 15th.

Yeoncheon County Office building. Provided by Yeoncheon County.

According to Article 48-3 of the Tourism Promotion Act, an area can be designated as a Special Management Area when the number of tourists exceeds the acceptable limit or when activities such as overnight stays or cooking using vehicles cause damage to the natural environment or harm residents' lives. Once designated as a Special Management Area, the local government can impose restrictions on visiting hours for tourists, limit vehicle and tourist traffic, and impose fines for violations.

The Hantangang Tourist Site is known as a sacred place for open-air camping, but indiscriminate car camping and long-term stays have caused damage to the natural environment and infringed on residents' living conditions, leading to a rapid increase in related complaints. Additionally, located downstream of the Hantangang River, there is concern about potential casualties due to sudden water level rises during flood season or dam discharge, highlighting the need for continuous management.

Accordingly, Yeoncheon-gun established an ordinance related to the operation of the Special Management Area in July this year, held a public hearing with residents, and submitted the designation plan for the Special Management Area to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Gyeonggi Province. After review by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Gyeonggi Province, the Hantangang Tourist Site was officially designated as a Special Management Area on November 15, 2024.

The Special Management Area of the Hantangang Tourist Site covers approximately 150,000㎡ along the Hantangang riverside area and about 54,600㎡ in the tourist facility-dense area. For the riverside area, visiting hours and permissible camping days are designated by general and management periods, and fines will be imposed for violations of visiting hours, days, or usage rules. In the tourist facility-dense area, fines will be imposed for illegal parking, camping, cooking, or non-compliance with usage rules within the area.

A Yeoncheon-gun official stated, “Considering the severe resident opposition and environmental pollution caused by excessive car camping and long-term stays, we designated the Hantangang Tourist Site as a Special Management Area. To minimize confusion among tourists and local residents, we will have a guidance period until December 31 this year, and from January 1 next year, fines will be imposed.” He added, “Furthermore, following the designation of the Special Management Area, we will implement parking fees for entry into the area in the first half of next year and proceed with the removal of long-term stay tents within the Hantangang Tourist Site according to Article 69-2 of the Tourism Promotion Act to ensure a safe and clean Hantangang Tourist Site.”