Interior ministry launches special crackdown on river illegalities

The interior ministry said Thursday it will conduct a special crackdown on illegal activities in rivers and valleys throughout August, targeting trickery such as off-hours operations on weekdays and weekends.

Persistent violations include the reinstallation of removed flat beds and parasols for business and operating lunch services in temporary structures slated for demolition, exploiting weak enforcement during weekends and lunch hours. To address these issues, the ministry held a countermeasure meeting with relevant agencies on July 30, chaired by Kim Yong-gyun, head of the Natural Disaster Office.

Local governments will form joint special enforcement teams to concentrate inspections during vulnerable time slots, while the ministry dispatches division-director-level regional task forces to carry out joint checks across 16 metropolitan provinces and 168 cities, counties and districts where violations are suspected. Participating agencies include the Climate Ministry, Agriculture Ministry, Food and Drug Safety Ministry, Forest Service, and Korea National Park Service.

The ministry plans to increase enforcement personnel and install closed-circuit television cameras to establish a constant monitoring system, alongside posting guide signs and banners in areas where illegal acts occur frequently. Caught illegal facilities will face swift orders to restore sites to their original condition and administrative executions, with authorities also considering fines for unlawful occupation and business suspensions under relevant laws including the Food Sanitation Act.

A river and valley management system will begin pilot operations in mid-August to support these efforts. "We will push forward with strong special enforcement for one month in August so that people can use rivers and valleys with peace of mind and enjoy a comfortable vacation, thereby eradicating illegal acts," Kim said. He also urged the public to report violations through the Safety Report Center.