Shin Sang-jin, the mayor of Seongnam, refuted claims made by some media outlets on September 3 that the proposed change of land use for the Yuldong Park auto camping site amounts to a "legalization of illegality."
The mayor emphasized that the administration is prioritizing citizen safety and will proceed with administrative procedures in accordance with laws and principles, while clarifying the management and operation system of public facilities.
According to Mayor Shin, the Yuldong Park auto camping site was established to utilize land that had been damaged by long-term illegal cultivation as a public space for citizens.
The site was developed following relevant administrative procedures, including decisions and changes to urban management plans and approvals for implementation plans, and was established as a park facility under the Park Greenery Act.
Regarding the controversial "10,000 square meters standard for camping sites," the mayor explained that a comprehensive interpretation of relevant laws is needed to determine whether the area standards under the Tourism Promotion Act can be applied to camping sites within parks.
In this context, Mayor Shin officially inquired through Gyeonggi Province to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on July 21 about the obligation to register camping sites under the Tourism Promotion Act, the applicability of area standards for camping sites in preservation green areas, and the relationship between urban planning facility exceptions and standards under the Tourism Promotion Act.
The mayor is currently awaiting an interpretation from the relevant authorities and plans to proceed with necessary follow-up actions based on the results.
Additionally, Mayor Shin clarified that reports suggesting the change of land use was initiated in response to an investigation by special prosecutors are also inaccurate.
The ongoing change from preservation green area to natural green area is not a finalized decision but a preliminary administrative procedure for listening to city council opinions and reviewing by the urban planning committee.
The mayor reiterated that the purpose of pursuing the change in land use is to enhance citizen safety and strengthen the management of public facilities.
By registering the camping site, the city aims to expand the coverage of liability insurance for public property, preparing for potential accidents and establishing a more systematic management framework.
Shin Sang-jin stated, "The issue of the Yuldong Park auto camping site should not be viewed as a post-legalization but rather as a necessary institutional adjustment for the responsible operation of public facilities and citizen safety."
He added, "We will proceed with the necessary procedures based on the interpretation from the relevant authorities, in accordance with laws and principles."
Meanwhile, the mayor plans to continue managing park facilities to ensure safe use by citizens while also enhancing park utilization and contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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