Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police to Crack Down on Illegal Activities in Green Belts Starting September 1
The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police announced on the 11th that it will conduct an intensive three-week crackdown on illegal activities in the province's green belts (Greenbelt/Development Restricted Zones) from September 1 to 18.
The green belts in Gyeonggi Province span 1,126 square kilometers across 21 cities and counties, including Suwon. Over the past three years, the number of illegal activities detected in green belts has remained high, with 7,768 cases in 2023, 8,050 cases in 2024, and 7,810 cases in 2025. The province plans to focus enforcement on repeat offenders in green belt violations, corporate entities engaging in illegal activities for profit, and those who have failed to comply with corrective orders.
Major crackdown targets include unauthorized acts such as △constructing buildings or installing structures △changing the purpose of facilities related to flora and fauna or agricultural and marine product storage facilities to logistics warehouses or factories △converting farmland or forestland into parking lots or other uses △stockpiling goods △felling trees and bamboo.
Unauthorized construction, change of use, installation of structures, or land modification within green belts are subject to imprisonment of up to one year or fines up to 10 million won under the Development Restriction Zone Act. In cases involving profit motives or habitual offenses, penalties include imprisonment of up to three years or fines up to 30 million won.
Kwon Moon-ju, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police, stated: "Green belts are precious green spaces that must be protected to prevent disorderly urban sprawl and to respond to climate crisis and achieve carbon neutrality. We will conduct continuous enforcement against indiscriminate illegal activities to create a safe living environment where residents can feel secure."
The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police are accepting reports of illegal activities from residents through their website (gg.go.kr/gg_special_cop) or the Gyeonggi Province Call Center (031-120).