Ahead of Chuseok, many people are planning ancestral memorial services or hikes, so I’ve compiled information regarding forest fines. Following this, I’ve also included news regarding construction subcontracting, drone registration, and sign lighting.
Top 3 Key Points > - Fines for lighting fires in forests or areas adjacent to forests are now up to 2 million won (previously 500,000 won and 300,000 won). Crackdowns on illegal forest activities are underway this fall. > - For significant illegal construction subcontracting, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will directly handle the disposition, and voluntary reporting and subsequent correction can result in a reduction of up to half of business suspension and surcharges (approved at the September 15th National Council meeting). > - An amendment to the Aviation Safety Act has been proposed for legislative review that will include non-commercial drones weighing 2kg or less, which were previously exempt from registration (comments due by October 26th).
## 1. Forest Fire Starting Fines of 2 Million Won — Crackdown on Illegal Forest Activities This Fall
- What’s Changed? — The “Forest Disaster Prevention Act” and its enforcement decree were implemented in February of this year, significantly increasing fines related to fire use in forests.
- - Lighting fires or carrying embers in forests or areas adjacent to forests will result in a fine of up to 2 million won (previously 500,000 won and 300,000 won).
- - Smoking or discarding cigarette butts in forests will result in a fine of up to 700,000 won (previously 200,000 won).
- - Carrying ignition devices such as lighters or flammable materials into the mountains will result in a fine of up to 300,000 won (previously 200,000 won).
- Who Does This Affect? — People visiting ancestral memorial services, hikers, campers, and those collecting forest products such as mushrooms, chestnuts, and pine nuts.
- When Does This Take Effect? — The fine increase has been applied since February 2026. The Eastern Regional Forest Management Office will conduct intensive crackdowns on illegal harvesting of forest products, unauthorized entry into restricted areas, use of fire/cooking, and littering in national forests from September 14th to October 31st.
- Administrative Agent’s Tip — It’s common to bring a burner or lighter for ancestral memorial services, but even possession alone can result in a fine. If you’re gathering mushrooms or chestnuts on someone else’s land, be sure to obtain permission from the landowner first, as it may be considered illegal harvesting.
- Source: [Republic of Korea Policy Briefing · Eastern Regional Forest Management Office Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Activities in Forests This Fall](https://www.korea.kr/briefing/pressReleaseView.do?newsId=156781481)
## 2. Construction Illegal Subcontracting – Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Direct Disposition & Fine Reduction for Voluntary Reporting — Approval of Enforcement Decree of the Construction Industry Basic Act
- What’s Changed? — Currently, the authority to impose administrative sanctions for illegal subcontracting is delegated to local governments, so even when the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport detects violations, it takes time to complete the disposition process. Going forward, for significant cases determined by notification, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will directly handle the disposition, considering the violator, subcontracting amount, scope of work, and progress rate, while local governments will handle the remaining cases. Furthermore, the basis for reducing business suspension and surcharges by up to half is created if illegal subcontracting is voluntarily reported and corrected before the disposition is finalized.
- Also Approved — The enforcement decree of the “Saemangeum Project Act” has also been amended, expanding the scope of regional business preferences for the Saemangeum project and changing the method of land supply (effective from the date of promulgation).
- Who Does This Affect? — General and specialized construction companies, and sites with subcontracting agreements.
- When Does This Take Effect? — The Enforcement Decree of the Construction Industry Basic Act is scheduled to take effect four months after promulgation (⚠️ Check promulgation date). The criteria for direct disposition and the voluntary reporting period will be determined by a separate notification.
- Administrative Agent’s Tip — To be eligible for a reduction, you must both report within the notification period and complete the correction before the disposition is finalized. Check your subcontracting agreements and registration requirements now, and be sure to check the notification period when the notification is released.
- Source: [Republic of Korea Policy Briefing · Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Approval by National Council for Amendment of Enforcement Decree of “Construction Industry Basic Act” and “Saemangeum Project Act”](https://www.korea.kr/briefing/pressReleaseView.do?newsId=156781663)
## 3. Expansion of Drone Registration – Proposal for Amendment of Aviation Safety Act Submitted for Legislative Review
- What's changing? — Currently, drone reporting is required for all business-use drones and non-business-use drones exceeding a maximum takeoff weight of 2kg. The revised bill expands the reporting scope to include non-business-use tethered unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned powered aircraft weighing 2kg or less, which were previously excluded. This is intended to address the problem of being unable to identify the drone and operator in the event of an accident or illegal flight. It also includes a basis for processing unique identification information for identity verification during drone registration and flight approval processes.
- Who does it affect? — Hobby and leisure drone users, and businesses using drones for filming, inspections, etc.
- When does it take effect? — Undecided, stage: Notice of Proposed Legislation (public comments September 15 – October 26). Specific expanded scope and implementation date require verification of the original document. ⚠️
- Administrative agent's comment — If you have a small drone weighing 2kg or less, you should check the reporting procedures and grace period when the finalized bill is released. If you have any opinions, you can submit them to the National Participation in Legislation Center or the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Advanced Aviation Division by October 26.
- Source: [National Participation in Legislation Center · Notice of Proposed Amendment to Enforcement Decree of Aviation Safety Law](https://opinion.lawmaking.go.kr/gcom/ogLmPp/88598)
## 4. Regulations Gap for Sign Illumination Pollution — Recommendation by the National Human Rights Commission for Improvement of Outdoor Advertising System
- What's changing? — Currently, allowable light emission standards are only applied to areas designated as lighting environment management zones and lighting fixtures subject to permit requirements under the Outdoor Advertising Act, meaning that many complaints about signs often end in mediation. The National Human Rights Commission has recommended ① designating lighting environment management zones in local governments that have not designated even one zone, ② readjusting the scope of lighting fixtures to which the allowable standards apply, and ③ including light pollution prevention content in mandatory education for outdoor advertising business operators.
- Who does it affect? — Self-employed individuals planning to install or replace signs, outdoor advertising companies, and residents experiencing inconvenience due to sign lighting.
- When does it take effect? — This is at the recommendation stage. The actual schedule for revising and implementing the law is undecided.
- Administrative agent's comment — Nothing changes immediately, but if you are planning to install a new, bright LED sign, it is safer to check with the relevant district office whether it is subject to permit or registration and what lighting standards apply before installation.
- Source: [Republic of Korea Policy Briefing · National Human Rights Commission Improvement Plan for Preventing Light Pollution in Outdoor Advertising](https://www.korea.kr/briefing/pressReleaseView.do?newsId=156781644)
## Deadlines to Watch This Week
- ~October 26 — Submission of comments on the Enforcement Decree of Aviation Safety Law amendment (expansion of drone reporting scope)
- ~October 31 — Eastern Regional Forest Management Office’s special crackdown period for illegal acts in forests during the autumn season
*This briefing is an announcement compiled by Hwang Yun-sang Administrative Agent’s Office based on publicly available information. Whether it applies to individual cases requires verification with the relevant authority.*
An administrative agent’s office handling administrative litigation, permits, and immigration matters in Incheon Songdo (Posco Tower Songdo). Feel free to inquire if you are in a similar situation.