"Tents Outside, Observatory Inside": Inconsiderate Campers Occupy Daeryongsan Observatory in Chuncheon

No Room to Step on the Observatory Deck Due to Tents
Online Users Criticize Inconsiderate Campers

At the summit observatory deck of Daeryongsan Mountain in Chuncheon City, Gangwon Province, campers have sparked controversy by occupying space with multiple tents set up on the deck. On September 9, a post titled "Inconsiderate Campers Occupying the Daeryongsan Observatory in Chuncheon City" was uploaded to an online community. The author, identified as Mr. A, wrote, "This is the scene at the Daeryongsan observatory deck at 6:20 a.m. on Sunday. It looks just like an auto camping site." In the photos posted along with the text, several tents are spread out on the deck with no space to step. The tent zippers appear to be fully closed, as if there are people inside.

At the summit observatory of Daeryongsan Mountain in Chuncheon City, Gangwon Province, campers have sparked controversy by occupying space with multiple tents set up on the deck. Online community

Mr. A pointed out, "Backpackers with good manners usually pack up before sunrise, but these people seem to have driven up the forest road and are sound asleep in auto camping mode." Online users responded with comments such as, "The deck is a resting place for hikers, so tents shouldn't be set up there," "I can understand at night when there are few people, but they should pack up by dawn," and "Everyone should be considerate and follow the established rules."

The controversy over setting up tents on mountain summit decks is not new. In June of last year, some campers caused a stir by pitching tents one after another on the safety deck of Palbongsan Mountain in Seosan. In March of this year, an incident occurred where a man, angered by tents and campers occupying the deck, poured waste oil at the summit of Taehaengsan Mountain in Hwaseong.

Looking at the photos posted along with the text, several tents are spread out on the deck with no space to step. The tent zippers appear to be fully closed as if there are people inside. Online community

Meanwhile, according to Article 34, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1 of the current Forest Protection Act, anyone who lights a fire or brings fire into a forest or adjacent area may be fined up to 5 million won. In addition, under Article 86, Paragraph 2 of the Natural Parks Act, camping or cooking outside designated areas in national, provincial, military, or geoparks is subject to a fine of up to 500,000 won. Furthermore, Article 16 of the Natural Environment Conservation Act stipulates that no one may possess flammable materials or engage in camping or cooking outside locations designated by the Minister of Environment within ecological or scenic conservation areas. Violators of this provision are subject to a fine of up to 2 million won.