36 Cases of Unauthorized Movement of Pine Species Prosecuted... "Be Careful When Moving Pine Species"

The Korea Forest Service has detected 36 cases of unauthorized movement of pine trees during a special spring crackdown and has taken judicial action and issued quarantine orders.

Officials from the Korea Forest Service are conducting special crackdowns to prevent the unauthorized movement of pine species. Photo by Korea Forest Service

According to the Korea Forest Service on the 2nd, the special crackdown targeted businesses handling pine trees, landscaping companies, and firewood farms.

Among the cases detected, 10 are currently undergoing judicial and fine imposition procedures under the "Special Act on the Control of Pine Wilt Disease (Control Special Act)," while quarantine orders have been issued for 26 cases classified as minor, and related measures have been completed.

Article 17 of the Control Special Act stipulates that unauthorized movement of pine trees can be punished by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW.

However, pine trees that have undergone quarantine treatment or have received a certificate of non-infection from a city/provincial forest environment research institute, such as landscaping trees or bonsai, may be moved even within pine tree movement prohibition zones.

Additionally, pine trees produced outside of pine tree movement prohibition zones must obtain a production confirmation certificate from the Korea Forest Service chief or local government head to be moved.

Lee Jong-su, Forest Disaster Control Officer, stated, "Unauthorized movement of pine trees is one of the main causes of new outbreaks of pine wilt disease," and added, "The Korea Forest Service plans to strictly respond to unauthorized movement of pine trees and take judicial measures to prevent the artificial spread of pine wilt disease."

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