Party and Government to Strengthen Penalties on Illegal Stream and Valley Facilities ... Considering Punitive Enforcement Fines

Fines for Non-Compliance with Voluntary Removal by End of June
72,658 Illegal Facilities Identified... Full-Scale Response
Incentives Under Consideration for Voluntary Removal

The Democratic Party of Korea and the government have agreed to complete the removal of all illegal facilities in streams and valleys nationwide by the end of June. They also decided to consider imposing punitive enforcement fines if voluntary removal is not carried out during the guidance period.

On May 20, Han Jeong-ae, Policy Chief of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-joong held a party-government consultation at the National Assembly on the maintenance of streams and valleys. After the meeting, Policy Chief Han stated, "There has been a situation with heavy rainfall in a short period of time, which has raised many safety concerns, so we began maintenance work in the valleys. Voluntary removal has been carried out in about 6,000 cases." Minister Yoon announced during the public remarks of the consultation, "Through a first survey and additional verification by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in March and April, a total of 72,658 illegal facilities in streams and valleys have currently been identified."

Han Jeong-ae, Policy Chief of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party-government consultation on river and valley maintenance held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

For illegal stream and valley facilities that are not voluntarily removed, Policy Chief Han stated, "We are considering strengthening the penalty surcharge system and revising laws to recover profits gained through illegal private use," adding, "A related amendment will be prepared." Regarding enforcement fines, she said, "Currently, they are imposed once per year, but we need a legal basis that allows for additional surcharges or multiple impositions within a year," and added, "Related discussions will take place after the local elections." Kwon Chil-seung, chair of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, said, "If individuals do not comply with voluntary removal and have long occupied the area for commercial activities, the state may claim the return of unjust enrichment," and added, "Punitive measures, such as imposing enforcement fines several times higher, are also under consideration."

The government and ruling party are also considering incentives for voluntary removal. Assemblyman Kwon explained, "If voluntary removal is completed during the guidance period, this will be taken into account during legislative discussions."

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