The government will create parks or wetlands in rivers where illegal facilities have been removed. The move aims to prevent repeated illegal occupation after demolitions.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on the 18th that it will invite applications for the "river environment improvement project" through Feb. 6. Local governments nationwide that manage national rivers can participate, and a total budget of 10 billion won will be provided to 10 selected projects.
To eliminate illegal occupation facilities installed in rivers such as valleys, the government formed a pan-government task force (TF) in July last year and has carried out intensive crackdowns.
However, there have been successive cases of commercial activities or illegal cultivation resuming after demolitions. There have also been pointed out limits to constant enforcement due to shortages of personnel.
In response, the government plans to fundamentally block the possibility of re-occupation by creating parks and wetlands on sites where illegal facilities have been removed. The climate ministry will also strengthen river fact-finding surveys and enforcement activities, and will continue strict law enforcement, including restoration to original conditions, for any additional illegal occupation facilities that arise.
Song Hoseok, the climate ministry's director-general for water resources policy, said, "Through continuous crackdowns and enforcement, we will do our utmost with local governments to ensure that people can use rivers more safely and comfortably."