Gyeonggi Provincial Special Investigation Unit Uncovers 92 Illegal Acts in Greenbelt Areas

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Landowners and operators have been caught en masse by the Gyeonggi Provincial Special Investigation Unit for illegally installing unauthorized containers in greenbelt areas, constructing vinyl greenhouses on agricultural land, and operating furniture factories without permits within greenbelt zones.

Lim Chi-kwon, head of the Gyeonggi Provincial Special Investigation Unit, held a press conference on the 6th, stating, "From June 1st to 12th, we investigated 396 locations across the province suspected of illegal activities in greenbelt areas and criminally charged 92 cases including unauthorized construction, illegal use conversion, and land use alterations."

In order to conduct development activities such as constructing buildings, installing structures, changing uses, altering land characteristics, and stacking materials within greenbelt areas, approval from the relevant administrative agency is required.
By type of illegal activity: ▲unauthorized construction of buildings not approved for new construction or expansion accounting for 45 cases (49%) ▲land use alterations by cutting land or stacking earth to change land form accounting for 26 cases (28%) ▲use conversion changing the purpose of buildings previously approved for use to a different purpose accounting for 20 cases (22%) ▲stacking of materials without approval accounting for 1 case (1%), with unauthorized construction being the most common.

Looking at major cases, Mr. A from Goyang City illegally installed an unauthorized container on forest land, resided in it, and illegally altered surrounding land by creating artificial ponds. Mr. B from Uiwang City illegally installed a vinyl greenhouse on forest land for residential purposes, planted pine trees and created gardens through illegal land alteration before being caught.
Mr. C from Namyangju City has been renting ranch land from landowner Mr. D since 2018, illegally altered the land for use as an aggregate storage yard, and illegally converted a livestock facility for use as an office before being apprehended.
Mr. E from Uiwang City was caught red-handed after performing earth-filling and tamping work on agricultural land without permission and then using it as a parking lot for a cafe or restaurant.
Mr. F from Yangju City built a vinyl greenhouse on agricultural land and operated it as an unauthorized furniture (frame) manufacturing factory without cultivating crops, while Mr. G was caught in the investigation after illegally expanding an agricultural storage facility and residing on the second floor.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Special Investigation Unit has criminally charged all of these individuals and plans to request administrative sanctions from the relevant cities and counties. The unit plans to continue investigations into illegal activities in greenbelt areas next year as well.
Cases of illegally converting building uses or altering land use for profit or habitually within greenbelt areas are subject to imprisonment of no more than 3 years or a fine of no more than 30 million won under the "Special Measures Act on Designation and Management of Greenbelt Areas."

Director Lim stated, "Since greenbelt areas hold great public interest value in preventing urban sprawl and preserving the natural environment, investigations into illegal activities in greenbelt areas will continue in the future," and added, "In consultation with related departments such as cities and counties, we will respond strongly to habitual violators by pursuing administrative enforcement measures."