Ganghwa County Cracks Down on Farm Shed Complexes

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Ganghwa County announced on the 19th that it will conduct intensive crackdowns on farm shed complexes that are being used primarily as weekend homes for residential purposes.

Demand for farm sheds has increased significantly due to growing interest in returning to farming and rural living, as well as changing lifestyles with increased preference for weekend farms amid COVID-19. The number of farm shed reports in the county has grown sharply from approximately 600 in 2017 to around 900 each in 2018 and 2019. This year, reported cases have already exceeded 900.

However, recent cases of illegal expansion or modifications of farm sheds and their use for residential purposes contrary to their intended use have increased, raising concerns about safety accidents.

In particular, farm shed-style rural housing complexes have caused friction with neighboring residents who obtained proper permits, due not only to misuse of farm sheds and unauthorized farmland alteration but also illegal sewage discharge, illegal garbage incineration, and noise and drinking disturbances at late hours.

To date, the county has identified violations of farm sheds during mobile crackdowns on illegal farmland activities and ordered immediate restoration of approximately 50 locations. Administrative and legal measures are planned for approximately 200 locations. The county also plans to conduct intensive crackdowns on farm shed-style rural housing complexes during the off-farming season to eliminate illegal activities.

A county official stated, "Farm sheds are temporary structures highly vulnerable to various disasters such as typhoons and fires and safety accidents, so they must be used in accordance with their intended purpose," and urged, "Those planning to conduct activities such as placing farm sheds or soil on farmland must first consult with the county Agricultural Land Management Task Force Team or the relevant township or village office."