Following KCTV reports about environmental damage at (문석이) Moonseoki Oreum, officials have temporarily barred access to the site. Anyone caught illegally accessing the oreum will face a fine of up to two million won. Joseph Kim reports.

A large SUV is driving across the hill.

Motorcycles are running along the the ridge.

The earth is badly marred by motorcycle stunt riding.

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KCTV report on environmental damage at Moonseoki Oreum

Off-road motorcycles and vehicles have caused significant damage to (문석이) Moonseoki Oreum.

KCTV reported the damage at the oreum in (송당리) Songdang-ri, (구좌읍) Gujwa-eup in September.

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Moonseoki Oreum off limits until end of 2020

Following the report, the province has barred access until the end of 2020.

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All activities banned, violators face fine of up to \2m

All activities, including tree cutting, cooking and the changing of land use, will be banned beginning next year.

Anyone caught illegally accessing the oreum will face a fine of up to two million won.

Recording
Kim Yang-bo / Dir., Provincial dept. of environmental preservation
Because of the motorcycles and other vehicles, we've banned everybody from Moonseoki Oreum.
Violators will face a fine of up to 2 million won.
<싱크 : 김양보 / 제주도 환경보전국장>
"오름에 오토바이 등 타고 다녔는데, 이런 부분을 저희가 우선적으로 문석이 오름을 신규로 휴식년제 지정했습니다. 그렇게 하게 되면 저희가 200만 원까지 과태료를 부과할 수 있기 때문에…."

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Access restrictions extended at Mulchat Oreum, Doneori Oreum

The province also extended access restrictions for (물찻) Mulchat Oreum and (도너리) Doneori Oreum by one and two years, respectively as the recovery at the oreum has been slower than expected.

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Damaged by trekking, thoughtless behavior

Oreum have been destroyed by the thoughtless behavior of some visitors and an increasing number of trekkers.

Environmental damage happens quickly, but the recovery process takes a long time.

INTERVIEW
Kim Tae-yun / Jeju Research Institute
They’ll bring in soil from other areas to repair the terrain damage. Restoration takes a long time while complete recovery is almost impossible.
<인터뷰 : 김태윤 / 제주연구원 선임연구위원>
"일단은 원 지형이 훼손되면 다른 지역에서 토양을 보충해야 돼서 원래대로의 복원은 거의 불가능하고, 복원하더라도 정상적인 상태로 되는데는 상당한 시간이 소요됩니다."

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Kim Yong-min

We should remember that we can enjoy oreum only when they’re well preserved.

Joseph Kim, KCTV