Illegal Activities Pose Threat to Hallasan National Park
Illegal activities within Hallasan National Park, including unauthorized climbing and camping, persist despite ongoing efforts for regulation. The Hallasan National Park Management Center in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province reported a recent incident through social media where individuals boasted about spending the night at Hallasan Seobukbong, violating safety regulations.
Unauthorized Climbing and Camping:
The individuals reportedly used the unauthorized Hallasan West North Wall Trail, a closed route due to safety concerns, and camped illegally in tents. Authorities were alerted when a concerned citizen reported the incident through the Hallasan National Park Service website.
Escalating Illegal Activities:
Statistics from the Hallasan National Park Service revealed 31 cases of illegal behavior by the end of May this year, encompassing 19 cases of smoking and 12 cases of entering unauthorized trails. Last year, 155 instances were detected, comprising 63 cases of trespassing on unauthorized trails, 58 cases of smoking, and 34 cases of various unauthorized activities, including camping and cooking.
Enforcement Challenges:
Penalties for violations under the Natural Park Act include fines ranging from 200,000 won to 500,000 won. However, enforcement requires on-site detection, presenting a challenge even when photographic evidence is available. An official from Hallasan National Park acknowledged the difficulty in monitoring due to limited personnel and the establishment of numerous unauthorized trails not covered by CCTV.
Strengthened Measures:
In response to the escalating issue, the Hallasan National Park Service plans to enhance field investigations, particularly focusing on the North Wall trails with confirmed illegal access. The use of closed-circuit TVs (CCTVs) has been expanded, and patrols will be intensified.
Crackdown Initiatives:
The Jeju World Heritage Headquarters has announced a crackdown on unauthorized entry, camping, and night hikes in Hallasan National Park. The enforcement targets include entering undesignated trails, illegal camping, cooking, night hikes, and smoking. Violators may face fines up to 2 million won under the Natural Parks Act.
Future Plans:
Authorities plan to concentrate efforts on night patrols during peak times, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, expecting an increase in illegal activities. Surveillance drones and unmanned forest fire cameras will be actively deployed to monitor and curb unauthorized actions.
Preservation Efforts:
Kim Hee-chan, head of the World Heritage Headquarters, emphasizes the importance of community cooperation to preserve the national park environment and prevent further damage caused by illegal activities.
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