Starting in February next year, the fines for arsonists causing wildfires will be raised from a maximum of 500,000 won to 2 million won.
The Korea Forest Service announced on the 10th that the 'Forest Disaster Prevention Act', which includes this content, has recently been enacted and promulgated.
The bill, which passed the National Assembly in December last year, underwent deliberation at the Cabinet Council on Jan. 21. The enforcement date is set for Feb. 1 next year, one year after the promulgation of the bill.
According to the Forest Disaster Prevention Act, when a fire is set in forested areas and adjacent areas (within 100 meters), the fines will increase from the current maximum of 500,000 won to 2 million won. This reflects criticisms that the fines for arsonists are too low compared to the damage caused by wildfires.
The Forest Disaster Prevention Act also expands the management scope of forest disasters to include adjacent areas, allowing the Minister of the Korea Forest Service to request local governments to issue evacuation orders in the event of a forest disaster. Currently, evacuation orders can only be issued by heads of local governments and fire chiefs.
The bill also includes the establishment of the 'Korea Forest Disaster Safety Technology Institute' to strengthen the capacity for forest disaster response.
The Korea Forest Disaster Safety Technology Institute is scheduled to be established by integrating three agencies responsible for wildfire, landslide, and forest pest monitoring: the Korea Forest Fire Prevention Technology Association, the Korea Soil Conservation Technology Association, and the Forest Pest Monitoring Center within the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute. The goal is to establish it in line with the enforcement date of the Forest Disaster Prevention Act on Feb. 1 next year.
Lim Sang-seob, head of the Korea Forest Service, noted, "With the enforcement of the Forest Disaster Prevention Act, we will be able to respond to forest disasters more integratively and efficiently," and added, "We will focus our efforts on preparing follow-up procedures, such as establishing subordinate laws during the remaining period until the implementation to ensure the effectiveness of the related laws."