Ministry of the Interior and Safety: "In Autumn, Be Careful of Safety Accidents in Hiking and Fishing"

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety warned that in October, as the autumn foliage that began in Seoraksan and Odaesan spreads nationwide, the number of hikers increases due to leaf viewing, raising the risk of hiking accidents, and urged caution.

According to statistics from the Korea National Park Service on the 18th, over the past two years (2020?2021), the number of visitors to national parks nationwide in October was 7.81 million, 1.7 times higher than the monthly average of 4.71 million, making it the busiest month of the year. Additionally, a total of 14,950 hiking accidents occurred over the past two years, resulting in 8,698 casualties (192 deaths, 8,506 injuries). Among these, in October alone, there were 2,149 hiking accidents causing 1,257 casualties (21 deaths, 1,236 injuries).

Hiking should start with light warm-up exercises, choosing trails that match one’s physical condition, and if any physical strain occurs during the hike, one should immediately descend. Use only designated trails and absolutely avoid entering restricted or dangerous areas where access is controlled. Also, as the days shorten and it gets dark earlier in late autumn, it is easy for accidents such as getting lost to occur, so it is best to start hiking early in the morning and finish one to two hours before sunset. Furthermore, if you encounter wild boars or feral dogs on the mountain, minimize movement and noise to leave the area quietly, and be careful not to show your back.

Meanwhile, with the change of seasons bringing an abundance of fish in autumn fishing season, special caution is required when fishing in the sea, rivers, and other waters. When accessing coastal areas for sea fishing, do not enter restricted or dangerous zones and pay attention to weather conditions. Also, frequently check information on wind and waves at sea, and be aware of tide times to avoid being trapped by rising tides. When fishing in the sea or rivers, always wear a life jacket, and when fishing at night, it is advisable to attach luminous lights or glow-in-the-dark items to your body so that your location can be identified by others.

Park Myung-gyun, Director of the Prevention Policy Bureau, said, “When heading outdoors for activities like hiking and fishing in the clear weather ideal for outdoor activities, be sure to inform those around you of your destination, preferably go with companions rather than alone, and follow related safety guidelines to safely enjoy the autumn season.”

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