Rep. Yoon Jun-byeong of the Democratic Party of Korea [provided by the lawmaker's office]
Rep. Yoon Jun-byeong of the Democratic Party of Korea [provided by the lawmaker's office]

Rep. Yoon Jun-byeong of the Democratic Party of Korea, who sits on the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee and represents Jeongeup and Gochang-gun in North Jeolla Province, said Monday he had introduced a bill to eliminate the repeated illegal installation of structures and unauthorized commercial operations in streams and valleys within development-restricted zones, while protecting the natural environment and the public's right to free access.

Under current law, Yoon said, development-restricted zones are designated and managed to prevent the disorderly expansion of cities and preserve the natural environment on their outskirts, with corrective orders and compulsory fines imposed for violations.

Every summer, however, illegal structures such as flat wooden platforms, tents and cooking facilities are repeatedly set up in streams and valleys within these zones, and unlicensed commercial operations are carried out. Critics have long argued that existing compulsory fines and penalties are far too low relative to the economic gains from peak-season illegal operations, making them ineffective as a deterrent.

Yoon introduced the amendment to tighten sanctions against the for-profit installation of illegal structures or conduct of illegal business in streams and valleys within development-restricted zones, and to ensure that sites are genuinely restored to their original condition.

The bill would allow authorities to impose "punitive compulsory fines" of up to three times an amount calculated based on the duration of the violation and the economic gains derived from it, for illegal for-profit activities in streams and valleys within development-restricted zones. Where a violation continues or recurs without the corrective order being carried out, the fine could be imposed and collected up to four times per year.

The bill also introduces a new legal basis for sanctioning those who habitually fail to pay compulsory fines, and raises the criminal penalty from the current maximum of one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won ($6,650) to a maximum of two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won, strengthening the practical effect of punishment for illegal occupation and operations.

Yoon said illegal occupation of streams and valleys "is not a problem confined to some areas — as confirmed by the government's recent nationwide survey, it is a chronic problem appearing across the country." He added that "in a structure where punishment is weaker than the profits from illegal operations, the same problems are bound to repeat themselves, so sanctions must exceed the economic gains from illegal activity to ensure that genuine restoration is carried out. This amendment is aimed at restoring the public nature of streams and valleys that all citizens should be free to enjoy," he said.


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