Accelerating Maintenance of Private Facilities in Rivers and Valleys... Institutional and Legal Reforms Included

Dedicated Organization Launched for River and Valley Illegal Facility Maintenance
72,658 Cases Identified Nationwide... Voluntary Reporting Period in Operation
Minister Hojoong Yoon: "Strict Response to Privatization of Public Assets"

The government is set to ramp up efforts to address illegal facilities in rivers and valleys. The "River·Valley Illegal Facility Maintenance Support Team," established on May 11, will spearhead institutional reform, legal improvement, and the establishment of a comprehensive support system.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on May 14, the government conducted an investigation into illegal facilities in rivers and valleys by April 30, uncovering a total of 72,658 illegal facilities nationwide.

On-site inspection of illegal structures occupying rivers and valleys. Photo by The Asia Business Daily

Based on these findings, the support team will develop and manage a maintenance plan for illegal facilities. In particular, illegal commercial activities that monopolize public assets, harm the public, and generate unjust profits are to be addressed by the end of June. The team will also establish rational maintenance standards for facilities with a public nature by gathering on-site feedback, analyzing cases, and consulting with related agencies.

However, before enforcing compulsory removal of illegal facilities, the government will encourage voluntary participation by operating a "River·Valley Illegal Facility Voluntary Reporting and Maintenance Guidance Period" from May 20 to June 30. During this period, those who voluntarily clear illegal facilities may be granted deferred imposition of compensation and fines, and receive support for removal costs. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will form five regional task forces led by section chiefs to intensively inspect local governments’ efforts to address illegal commercial activities, and will give warnings—offering an opportunity to self-correct—for actions lacking malicious intent.

On this day, Kwangyong Kim, Head of the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters, visited the site of an administrative enforcement action to remove illegal facilities at Uiam Lake in Chuncheon. He inspected the removal process of illegal structures such as platforms, fishing rafts, and tents—which are the subject of repeated complaints every year—and listened to on-site opinions and difficulties, emphasizing the need for swift restoration of public assets and efforts to eradicate illegal activities.

The government is also conducting a joint inspection regarding the reinvestigation of illegal facilities occupying rivers and valleys. This is to check the status surveys, complaint handling, and restoration processes conducted by relevant ministries. Through May 29, they will review the process of investigating illegal occupation and storage facilities in rivers and valleys nationwide. Cases where subjects were intentionally omitted, inspections were neglected, or illegal activities were concealed through collusion with business owners will be scrutinized. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to strictly discipline administrators and staff found responsible, in accordance with a zero-tolerance policy.

For effective enforcement, central and local governments will cooperate by designating and operating regional directors (at director-general level), and will continuously monitor progress via the Central-Local Policy Council. The Ministry will also pursue legislative amendments to allow the imposition of compulsory fines as well as penalty surcharges exceeding operating profits, to eradicate illegal commercial activities. The government aims to complete a thorough maintenance of illegal activities by the end of June. Eight types of facilities are subject to this: platforms, sunshades, bungalows, temporary buildings, decks, illegal cultivation, land alteration, and others.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Hojoong Yoon stated, "The government is making every effort to maintain illegal facilities so that everyone can enjoy rivers and valleys as clean places for rest. We will respond strictly to those who privatize public assets for profit, but will actively support those who cooperate with voluntary maintenance during the guidance period, to the extent possible."

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