Gyeonggi Province Cracks Down on 23 Illegal Activities at Summer Valleys and Streams

The Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police announced on the 19th that it detected a total of 23 violations following intensive crackdowns on illegal activities at summer recreation areas including valleys and streams.

The enforcement operation was conducted over 12 days from July 20 to 31 to block repeated illegal occupancy and unreported business operations at recreation areas such as valleys and streams where visitor numbers increase during summer vacation season, and to provide citizens with safe and pleasant recreational environments.

Violations detected include △3 cases of unauthorized river occupation △13 cases of unreported food service operations and failure to report changes in business space area △2 cases of unreported recreational facility business operations △5 cases of unauthorized structures and land transformation within greenbelt areas.

Examining major violation cases, Business A was caught installing temporary structures and platforms on river land without permission from the competent authority and using them for food service operations.

Business B was caught preparing and selling food to unspecified individuals with kitchen facilities without food service notification, while Business C was caught installing water slides and swimming facilities without reporting and operating such water recreation facilities.

Business D was caught installing tents and platforms and operating a food service business within a greenbelt area without permission from the competent authority.

According to the ‘River Act,’ unauthorized occupation of a river can result in imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won. Under the ‘Food Sanitation Act,’ operating an unreported food service business or failing to report changes in business space area can result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won. Operating a theme park business without notification under the ‘Tourism Promotion Act’ or installing structures or transforming land without permission under the ‘Greenbelt Act’ can each result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

Kwon Moon-joo, head of the Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police, said, “Valleys and streams are spaces that all citizens should be able to use freely and safely,” adding, “We will continue to conduct crackdowns to prevent acts that privatize recreation areas or undermine legal order through illegal business operations.”