New laws punish mountain-top drunkards
Trekkers at Daedunsan Provincial Park line up to buy liquor from vendors on Mt. Daedun. Provincial watchdogs have been reluctant to shut down the illegal traders, allowing the business to go on for years. / Korea Times file
By Ko Dong-hwan
Laws banning drinking on mountain tops and in other designated natural areas start this month.
The National Assembly passed the revised anti-drinking laws on Tuesday that affect visitors to mountains and parks under national, city or provincial management, the environment ministry said Wednesday. The laws begin on Mar. 13.
They include fines of 50,000 won ($46) for a first offence and 100,000 won for subsequent violations for people caught drinking in the designated areas.
The ministry’s latest bid reflects its intention to lower accidents in the regions. From 2012 until 2017, 64 of over 1,300 accidents on mountains and in parks were due to alcohol intoxication. Ten accidents were fatal.
“The revision, however, doesn’t involve the whole regions in the ban but only the designated areas are subject to it,” the ministry official said. “The designated areas, such as shelters, service areas, trekking courses and mountain peaks, are where most accidents have occurred.”
But the laws have drawn criticism for lacking effectiveness. Some have questioned whether the ban should apply to entire mountains and parks if the government is concerned about alcohol-caused accidents.
Smoking is also banned in the designated areas, with fines starting at 100,000 won for a first offence and adding 100,000 won for each additional violation. There are also bans on plantings in the areas and bringing and leaving pets.
Along with the new laws, the disciplinary watchdog has been beefed up with the addition of two more lawmakers to the existing 23 National Parks Commission members.