Muan-gun, Unauthorized Forest Damage Underestimated in Investigation... Forest Administration Lapses Revealed

Landslide Risk... Residents' Safety Neglected

"Measures Will Be Taken to Ensure Early Restoration Work in November"

The hillside in Cheonggye-myeon was illegally deforested. ⓒ Asia Economy

[Muan＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo] A controversy has arisen over allegations that a hillside in Cheonggye-myeon, Muan-gun, was illegally deforested and that trees were unlawfully buried during the process.

According to residents on the 7th, the damaged forest land was originally a gentle slope walkable by people, with some sections having small terraces about 1.5m wide at the top and up to 2m in length.

Since the ownership change on November 6, 2018, until recently before the damage, the forest land had naturally recovered with dense undergrowth. However, in May, during the construction of a new road over 100 meters long and 4 meters wide using an excavator, it is alleged that the cut soil was used to create a site presumed to be a house foundation with a cement block retaining wall, along with approximately 800㎡ of embankment, about 1000㎡ of topsoil removal, and soil filling, resulting in a total of about 2880㎡ of illegal mountain land development.

Nearby villagers filed complaints through the National Petition System demanding the forest land be restored to its original state, but the Muan-gun forestry department has not taken any action, causing frustration.

In particular, while the total illegal mountain land conversion area is about 2880㎡, Muan-gun’s investigation covered only 1341㎡, omitting and reducing 1539㎡. It is also alleged that no demolition or restoration orders have been issued for the illegal road facilities and the presumed house site with cement block retaining walls, in violation of Article 44, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 2 of the Mountainous Area Management Act.

Residents demand, “Since the slope length of the road section is up to about 9 meters and current erosion phenomena pose risks and anxiety to the houses below, the 4-meter-wide road should have about a 1-meter-wide slope length of 2 meters built in 4 to 5 steps of small terraces to ease the slope and prevent collapse by planting trees.” They expressed dissatisfaction, saying, “The current restoration plan is full of deficiencies, safety is neglected, and the normal restoration plan is being ignored. We cannot trust Muan-gun’s administration.”

They added, “We will respond through various channels until a re-investigation of the illegal mountain land conversion and an appropriate restoration plan including tree planting for the entire damaged 2880㎡ is implemented.”

In response, a Muan-gun official said, “We have reported the damage caused by the road expansion cut to the judicial authorities. The restoration period is planned until November 30, and considering the planting season, we will take measures to ensure restoration work is carried out as early as possible within the deadline.”

Muan＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo ohj1358@asiae.co.kr

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