[2025 Audit] Illegal Activities Rampant in Forests... "Most Are Illegal Conversion of Forest Land"

There are growing calls for a government-level response as illegal activities in forests have not been eradicated.

According to data submitted by Assemblyman Kim Seonkyo, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee (People Power Party, Yeoju and Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province), from the Korea Forest Service, a total of 15,408 cases of illegal activities in forests-including illegal conversion of forest land, unauthorized logging, and timber theft-were detected from 2020 to June this year. The damaged area amounts to 21,256 hectares, which is 73 times the size of Yeouido (290 hectares).

Status of illegal activities enforcement in forests over the past five years. The "Others" category includes unauthorized removal of forest fire products, forest products collection sites, and coniferous trees. Source=Korea Forest Service

When categorized by type, illegal conversion of forest land accounted for the largest number with 11,251 cases. This was followed by the "Others" category-which includes forest fires, unauthorized removal of forest products, and coniferous trees-with 2,482 cases, unauthorized logging with 1,585 cases, and timber theft with 90 cases.

In terms of damaged area, the "Others" category was the largest at 18,971 hectares, followed by illegal conversion of forest land at 1,921 hectares, unauthorized logging at 360 hectares, and timber theft at 4 hectares.

The estimated total financial loss caused by illegal activities in forests over the past five years is 302.05788 billion won. By type, illegal conversion of forest land resulted in losses of 234.79316 billion won, the "Others" category accounted for 55.56233 billion won, unauthorized logging for 11.52515 billion won, and timber theft for 0.17722 billion won.

During the same period, Gyeonggi Province recorded the highest number of cases by region with 2,437, followed by North Gyeongsang Province (2,108 cases), South Chungcheong Province (1,912 cases), South Gyeongsang Province (1,243 cases), and North Jeolla Province (1,109 cases).

By region, North Gyeongsang Province suffered the highest financial losses at 62.65289 billion won, followed by South Chungcheong Province at 39.36801 billion won, Gyeonggi Province at 33.22861 billion won, South Jeolla Province at 32.58683 billion won, North Chungcheong Province at 30.94705 billion won, Gangwon Province at 24.64378 billion won, and South Gyeongsang Province at 21.67413 billion won.

Actions taken against illegal activities in forests over the past five years include 10,908 cases (70.8%) referred to the prosecution, 1,223 cases closed after internal investigation, 1,128 cases transferred to other agencies, and 5 cases subject to summary trial. In addition, there are currently 2,144 cases under ongoing review.

Assemblyman Kim emphasized, "To prevent illegal activities in forests, the government must seek multifaceted measures such as continuous monitoring, strengthened enforcement, expanded preventive education, and stronger penalties."