Ganghwa County Cracks Down on Illegal Dumping and Other Unlawful Acts in Farmland

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Ganghwa County has launched a crackdown on illegal activities in farmland, including unauthorized waste dumping.

The county announced on the 25th that it will strictly enforce applicable laws when violations occur in connection with agricultural land reclamation and farm shed installation.

From October 2016 to July 2017 during the sixth mayoral term, poor quality soil was illegally dumped in the area around Seondo-ri, Gilsang-myeon. Regarding collusion involving public officials charged in this case, the county issued a restoration order and suspended the officials from their positions.

To eliminate indiscriminate illegal reclamation on premium farmland, the county established a dedicated Agricultural Land Management Task Force team last May to track and crack down on illegal farmland reclamation. The task force has conducted intensive enforcement operations, identifying violations at approximately 200 sites and proceeding with administrative measures (restoration orders) and criminal referrals.

Additionally, until the 26th of this month, the county will conduct intensive crackdowns on construction machinery and poor quality soil transport vehicles that violate safety standards at Ganghwa Bridge and Choji Bridge. For violating vehicles, administrative guidance will be provided, and if violations persist, administrative fines will be imposed.

Furthermore, when farm sheds are illegally expanded or modified, or used for residential or vacation purposes, the county will conduct more thorough investigations into whether agricultural operations are actually being conducted and will work to eliminate farm sheds used for vacation purposes.

In accordance with the "Incheon Metropolitan City Urban Planning Ordinance" announced and implemented on the 23rd through the county's continued recommendations, land reclamation of 1 meter or more within farmland must obtain prior approval for development activities.

Previously, land reclamation of up to 2 meters conducted for the purpose of improving farmland productivity was not subject to development activity approval, as long as it did not affect irrigation, drainage, and farm work on adjacent land.

Some landowners and developers exploited this by indiscriminately reclaiming land and constructing complex-style vacation farm sheds. They used poor quality soil under the pretext that recycled soil could be used from 1 meter below the ground surface of reclaimed land, causing environmental pollution and generating endless complaints.

Ganghwa County Governor Yu Cheon-ho stated, "Bribery and collusion by public officials are inexcusable acts," and vowed to "apply zero tolerance and pursue them to the end for complete restoration." He added, "Farm sheds, being temporary structures, are very vulnerable to various disasters such as fires and safety accidents. We will conduct thorough investigations and respond strictly to illegal use of farm sheds and farmland."