"Even Minor Mistakes Will Be Held Accountable"... Korea Forest Service Declares 'Zero Tolerance' for Causing Wildfires

The forestry authorities are enforcing a "zero tolerance policy" on acts that cause forest fires, significantly ramping up crackdowns. With the risk of large-scale wildfires heightened by dry weather, the authorities plan to hold individuals strictly accountable even for minor carelessness.

According to Yonhap News, citing the Korea Forest Service on April 24, authorities are intensifying inspections of all activities deemed high risk for forest fires, including unauthorized entry into restricted mountain areas, burning of agricultural byproducts and trash, use of fire near forest boundaries, and the discarding of cigarette butts. Notably, the authorities plan to seek criminal charges as well as compensation for tree damage and forest restoration costs from those responsible, whether the fire was caused intentionally or by negligence.

There have already been real cases. In February, Danyang County in North Chungcheong Province imposed a restoration fee of 8.7 million won for public forest recovery on the individual responsible for a wildfire that broke out in a hillside in Daegang-myeon. The incident resulted in the loss of approximately 1.5 hectares of forest and damage to over 1,300 trees. It was found that the person started the fire while burning fallen leaves and branches, and is currently under investigation for violating relevant laws.

Firefighting authorities conducted nighttime operations to extinguish a forest fire that broke out in Geomse-ri, Samrangjin-eup, Miryang-si, Gyeongnam Province last February. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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The Korea Forest Service believes that most forest fires are primarily caused by human negligence. According to statistics released in March last year, an analysis of wildfire causes over the past 10 years identified accidental fires by mountain visitors, burning of trash, burning of rice paddy and field borders, and discarded cigarette butts as the main causes-with accidental fires by mountain visitors accounting for the largest share.

Under the current Forest Protection Act, the head of a forest disaster prevention agency may claim all or part of the costs required for wildfire damage recovery from those responsible for causing the fire. In cases of intentional arson, offenders may face up to 15 years of imprisonment.

While in the past, punishment for accidental fires often amounted to fines or suspended sentences, the authorities have stated their position that, going forward, anyone whose carelessness leads to a wildfire will be held accountable without exception.

Kim Sihoon, Director of the Wildfire Prevention Division at the Korea Forest Service, stated, "A forest fire is a major disaster that can cause enormous human and property losses due to a moment's carelessness," adding, "Even if it is a simple mistake, we will apply a 'zero tolerance policy' and hold individuals accountable without exception if it leads to a forest fire."

The Korea Forest Service plans to raise public awareness through nationwide campaigns alongside enforcement, and to strengthen its management system focused on wildfire prevention.

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