Seoul City Launches Intensive Crackdown on Unauthorized Use and Illegal Conversion Violations of the Farmland Act

Focused Inspection on 940ha of Farmland for Efficient Use and Eradication of Illegal Activities
Measures Include Restoration Orders, Farmland Disposal Obligations, and Prosecution for Violations

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government will conduct intensive inspections on 940 hectares of farmland within the city from the 14th to the 19th to ensure efficient use of farmland and eradicate illegal activities violating the Farmland Act.

This inspection will focus on illegal activities such as unauthorized conversion of farmland, unauthorized change of use, and illegal waste landfill. It will also cover improper use of farmland for purposes other than acquisition. For the four districts with farmland areas exceeding 50 hectares (Gangseo, Seocho, Gangnam, Gangdong), a joint inspection team composed of city and district officials will conduct cross-inspections. The seven districts with farmland areas under 50 hectares (Jongno, Jungnang, Dobong, Nowon, Eunpyeong, Yangcheon, Songpa) will conduct inspections independently.

The main inspection items include ▲ unauthorized conversion without obtaining farmland conversion permission (consultation) (illegal conversion, unauthorized waste landfill) ▲ farmland used for other purposes without approval for change of use after obtaining farmland conversion permission (consultation) or completing conversion reporting procedures, or farmland where the conversion project has not commenced for over two years (unauthorized change of use) ▲ land where restoration has not been carried out after receiving farmland preservation charge refunds due to permit cancellation ▲ conversion exceeding the reported area for farmland conversion permission (consultation) or unauthorized conversion without paying farmland preservation charges ▲ and verification of whether owners of improperly used farmland have fulfilled the acquisition purpose.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to impose farmland disposal obligations and restoration orders on violations of the Farmland Act found during inspections and will file complaints if these orders are not followed. Additionally, reports related to illegal farmland conversion and unauthorized change of use received through the response center or district farmland management departments will be verified by the respective districts, which will take necessary measures.

Kim Kwang-deok, Director of Urban Agriculture at Seoul City, stated, “Farmland is the foundation of food resource production, and we will strive to preserve it well so that its original purpose is not damaged and can be passed on to future generations.”

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