"Do Not Collect Mushrooms or Medicinal Herbs Indiscriminately" Hongcheon County Launches Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Activities in Forests During Autumn

Hongcheon County in Gangwon Province announced on October 2 that, with the full-scale autumn harvest season for forest products such as medicinal herbs and mushrooms underway, indiscriminate collection and harvesting of forest products is expected. As a result, the county will conduct a “crackdown on illegal activities in forests during the autumn season” until October 31.

A view of Hongcheon County Office. Provided by Hongcheon County

This intensive crackdown aims to prevent damage to the forest ecosystem and forest workers caused by indiscriminate collection and harvesting of forest products by professional gatherers and hikers during the peak harvest season for medicinal herbs and mushrooms. Hongcheon County has organized and deployed a task force of around 20 special forest judicial police officers for this purpose.

An official from Hongcheon County stated, “Through continuous guidance and crackdowns, we will do our utmost to raise awareness of illegal activities in forests and eradicate such violations. We ask for the active cooperation of all residents.”

Anyone who collects forest products without the consent of the forest owner may be subject to imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won, in accordance with the Act on the Creation and Management of Forest Resources and other relevant laws.

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