Controversy Surrounding Hunting Ground Designation: Public Inconvenience and Inconsistent Administration
The designation of hunting areas in South Korea has sparked controversy and raised concerns among residents, hunters, and local authorities. The Ministry of Environment and local governments have faced criticism for their handling of the process, causing fear and anxiety among residents within designated areas.
The article highlights discrepancies in the implementation of the Tide Protection and Hunting Act, specifically pointing to violations of Article 13, which mandates the involvement of interested parties, such as landowners, in the establishment of hunting grounds. The absence of public hearings and investigations into potential inconveniences and anxieties has led to unilateral announcements of hunting areas.
Furthermore, the article emphasizes the neglect of Article 19, which restricts hunting on land occupied by others. In the establishment of hunting areas around private houses and on private land, national and local governments are accused of non-compliance with the law and random announcements of hunting areas without providing the public with an opportunity to object.
The failure to adhere to Article 13, which requires stakeholder input, is highlighted as a significant concern. The article calls for advanced notification to stakeholders before public announcements of hunting areas, allowing them the fundamental right to object and prioritizing public safety in the resolution of residents' concerns.
The controversy has escalated to the potential cancellation of the opening of rotational hunting grounds, scheduled for the upcoming week. Livestock epidemic concerns, particularly African swine fever (ASF) and lumpy skin disease outbreaks, have prompted authorities in Jeollabuk-do to reconsider the opening. The abrupt notice of the decision, just five days before the scheduled opening, has resulted in dissatisfaction among the 12,000 hunters who had made preparations for the event.
The article concludes by acknowledging the criticism of inconsistent administration and the impact on public confidence in the government. The concerns raised encompass not only the potential cancellation of the hunting grounds but also broader implications for local consumption and the livelihoods of farmers.
#HuntingGrounds, #TideProtectionAct, #EnvironmentalControversy, #InconsistentAdministration, #PublicConcerns
