Yeoju City to Strictly Punish Forest Fire Arsonists Under Zero-Tolerance Policy

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Yeoju City announced on the 10th that it will strictly punish forest fire arsonists under a zero-tolerance policy to prevent large-scale forest fires.

The city reported that forest fires occurred once each on the morning and afternoon of March 22, and notably, the forest fire in the Gangcheon-myeon Ganmae-ri and Bupyeong-ri areas was caused by burning garbage on farmland adjacent to forestland, resulting in the loss of approximately 7 hectares of woodland.

Consequently, two forest fire perpetrators were criminally charged under violations of the Forest Protection Act and referred to prosecutors with recommendations for prosecution. Under Article 53, Paragraph 5 of the Forest Protection Act, they face penalties of up to 3 years imprisonment or fines up to 30 million won.

According to Article 34 of the Forest Protection Act, anyone is prohibited from making fires, smoking, and other such activities in forests or forest-adjacent areas (within 100 meters of forestland). This year alone, the city has imposed administrative fines in three cases and is strictly penalizing illegal forest fire-related activities.

Meanwhile, the city has announced administrative orders restricting illegal incineration, smoking near forests, and possession of ignitable materials by mountain visitors.

Jang Hong-gi, head of the City's Forest and Parks Division, stated, "The city is mobilizing all administrative resources to prevent forest fires, and those who cause forest fires through negligence will definitely be punished under our zero-tolerance policy. We will closely cooperate with firefighting authorities, military units, and police to respond swiftly to fire outbreaks and minimize loss of life and property damage to residents," he said.