The government announced a large-scale crackdown on illegal facilities occupying rivers and valleys during the summer vacation season. The plan is to encourage voluntary removal, but strict measures will be taken if there is noncompliance.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and other relevant departments announced on the 30th that they would crack down on safety hazards in the river and valley areas, including facilities, resting areas, shade shelters, water play facilities, and restaurant operations.
Earlier, the government formed a task force (TF) with the participation of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Environment, the Korea Forest Service, and local governments to carry out the crackdown. The TF identified 645 cases of illegal occupancy through two national surveys. Among these, resting areas and shade shelters accounted for 15.5%, and cultivation activities for 15%, while commercial activities made up 11%.
The government plans to encourage voluntary removal of illegal occupancy facilities and impose strict measures such as fines under individual laws and penalties under the petty offenses law in cases of noncompliance. In unavoidable cases, the government also plans to carry out restoration through administrative measures. Furthermore, the government intends to improve relevant systems, such as the establishment of enforcement fines and penalties for noncompliance in the future.
Minister Yoon Ho-jung said, "Like Gyeonggi Province has boldly renovated illegal occupancy facilities in rivers and valleys since 2019, we will do our best with local governments to return safe and clean rivers to the public."