Illegal Camping and Barbecuing on Jeju Oreum Draws Public Complaints
Complaints Rise Over Inconsiderate Campers at Oreum Summits
Actual Penalties Not Expected Until Next Year
The mysterious hills known as "Oreum," which can only be found in Jeju, are suffering. This is due to campers who engage in unauthorized overnight stays and cooking. Jeju Island authorities have stated that they will impose strict crackdowns and sanctions, including fines of up to 1 million won for illegal camping on Oreum. However, actual administrative actions are expected to be implemented only next year.
The summit observatory of Nokcome Oreum, also known as Geunnokcome or Geunnokgome in Jeju Island, has become popular for its beautiful night views, attracting many campers who pitch tents and stay overnight. Jeju Island Official Website
Previously, on November 26, a post appeared on the Jeju Island official website's "Suggestions for Jeju" section, stating, "If you climb to the summit of Geunnokcome early in the morning, there are quite a few campers pitching tents and staying overnight, and some people drink alcohol and grill meat throughout the night." The complainant added, "As the weather gets colder, it seems they are also making fires, which could easily lead to a forest fire, and since there are no restrooms, where are they handling their waste?" and attached photos of tents set up on the summit deck. The summit observatory of Nokcome Oreum, also known as Geunnokcome or Geunnokgome, has become popular for its beautiful night views, attracting many campers who pitch tents and stay overnight. As these campers occupy the observatory and parking lot for extended periods, other visitors are experiencing significant inconvenience.
The complainant also pointed out, "Around the nearby Small Nokcome, people riding bicycles, motorcycles, and horses are severely damaging the cypress forest and the Sangjatgil trail," and requested, "Please install signs prohibiting entry to anyone other than hikers." In response, Jeju Island authorities announced that camping and cooking on Nokcome Oreum are illegal under the Natural Environment Conservation Act and the Forest Protection Act, and they plan to take strong measures, including imposing fines of up to 1 million won.
The mysterious hills called "Oreum," which can only be seen in Jeju, are suffering. This is due to campers who engage in unauthorized overnight stays and cooking. Jeju Island official website
As controversy over these illegal activities spread, Jeju Island recently issued an explanatory statement, saying, "Since there are legal grounds and management systems in place, we will strengthen enforcement and take strong action against violators." However, in reality, fines cannot currently be imposed. According to the Jeju Island Natural Environment Management Ordinance, in order to restrict entry, cooking, and camping on Oreum, the restrictions must be widely announced through the Jeju Island official gazette or website, but this has not yet been done. According to a report by Hankyoreh, Jeju Island only began preparing the announcement after the issue at Geunnokcome Oreum was brought to light by a citizen report.
An official from Jeju Island told Hankyoreh, "To enforce crackdowns and impose fines for illegal camping, we must first issue an official announcement, so we plan to prepare a draft, go through committee review and gather public opinion before finalizing it. For now, we have put up banners at the site warning against camping and cooking, and Jeju City is conducting guidance activities." The official added, "We will discuss including relevant guidelines in the Oreum Conservation Master Plan to be established next year, and we also plan to promote measures to raise visitors' awareness of their responsibility for preventing forest damage."
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