[2020 National Audit] "Illegal Acts in National Parks 2,200 Cases Annually... This Year's Drinking Incidents Triple"

Illegal Enforcement Cases in National Parks Over the Past 5 Years Total 11,182
Kim Seong-won Emphasizes COVID-19 Prevention... "Cluster Infection Among Hiking Group Members"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] As outdoor activities such as hiking and outdoor fishing spots have increased due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), national parks across the country are suffering from about 2,200 cases of various illegal activities and disorder each year.

According to the 'National Park Illegal Activity Crackdown and Measures Status' received on the 19th by Kim Seong-won, a member of the Environment and Labor Committee of the National Assembly from the Korea National Park Service, the total number of illegal activity crackdowns in 21 national parks nationwide over the past five years from 2016 to August this year was 11,182 cases, averaging 2,236 illegal activities per year.

The crackdown status by year was 2,733 cases in 2016, 2,589 cases in 2017, 1,988 cases in 2018, and 2,437 cases in 2019. This year, up to August, there were 1,435 cases, which is expected to be similar to last year's level.

Looking at the crackdown status by national park, Bukhansan had the highest number with 2,385 cases over the past five years, followed by Jirisan with 1,625 cases, Seoraksan with 1,560 cases, Songnisan with 771 cases, and Hallyeohaesang with 684 cases.

By type of crackdown, unauthorized entry into non-designated trails was the most frequent with 4,255 cases. This was followed by cooking activities with 2,107 cases, illegal parking with 1,386 cases, smoking with 890 cases, and camping with 583 cases. Drinking activities, which were 217 cases last year, surged more than threefold to 713 cases as of August this year.

Representative Kim said, "Many people do not properly practice social distancing or wear masks in national parks due to the perception that national parks are safe from COVID-19. Recently, in the metropolitan area, 20 members of a hiking group were infected in a cluster," emphasizing COVID-19 prevention measures in national parks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.