Gyeonggi Province Launches Joint Inspections for Illegal Burning in Rural Areas Until May 15

Gyeonggi Province will operate joint inspection teams with cities and counties, focusing on areas adjacent to forests, to prevent illegal burning in rural areas until May 15, 2026.

On March 19, Gyeonggi Province announced that joint inspection teams for illegal burning in rural areas, consisting of officials from agricultural policy, environmental, and forestry departments of cities and counties, will visit villages to check for risk factors associated with illegal burning and conduct public awareness and guidance activities for residents.

If necessary, administrative measures such as the imposition of fines will also be enforced in accordance with relevant laws. Gyeonggi Province will manage the overall operation and performance of these activities.

The joint inspection teams will operate with a phased inspection system during the designated fine dust management season.

Gyeonggi Province is visiting rural areas affected by illegal burning to talk with residents. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

When high levels of fine dust are announced, on-site inspections will be conducted, and regular inspections will be carried out, especially in key management areas where illegal burning is frequent. In March, intensive crackdowns will target all rural areas, and from April through mid-May, inspections of areas adjacent to forests will be strengthened. In particular, community-based public awareness activities, such as interviews with village leaders and announcements via village broadcasting systems, will be conducted alongside these efforts to enhance awareness of illegal burning prevention.

Previously, from December of last year through early March of this year, Gyeonggi Province conducted a total of 395 inspections. During this period, 12 cases of illegal burning in rural areas were detected and fines were imposed. There were also 279 resident guidance activities and 621 publicity activities carried out.

Lee Munmu, Director of Agricultural Policy at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Illegal burning in rural areas is a major cause of wildfires and increased fine dust, so prevention activities are extremely important," adding, "Gyeonggi Province will strengthen the operation of joint inspection teams in cooperation with cities and counties to prevent rural fires and create a pleasant rural environment."

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