"A Fine? Just Pay and Move On": Secret Pre-Dawn Climbs and 'SNS Proof Shots'—Hallasan Struggles with Brazen Hikers

Unauthorized Entry on Unofficial Trails Surges by 77%

Camping, Cooking, and Smoking—Prohibited Acts Continue

Illegal Activities Openly Shared on Social Media Amid Weak Enforcement

Hallasan National Park is suffering due to the illegal activities of some hikers. There are growing concerns that the park’s ecosystem and visitor safety are under serious threat, with violations ranging from climbing the summit via unauthorized, non-designated trails, to camping, drinking, smoking, and even cooking in restricted areas.

Exploring the cliff by installing a rope on Hallasan Mountain. Yonhap News

During a work report from the World Heritage Headquarters at the Cultural, Tourism and Sports Committee meeting of the Jeju Provincial Council on July 15, the issue of illegal activities at Hallasan National Park and the weaknesses in its enforcement system were brought to the forefront.

Assemblywoman Park Jieun (Democratic Party of Korea) urged for fundamental solutions, stating, "Although the use of non-designated trails on Hallasan is increasing, the authorities are merely engaging in reactive crackdowns at best."

According to Hallasan National Park’s records on protection regulations and fines, the number of cases caught for unauthorized entry via restricted trails rose from 30 in 2023 to 53 in 2025, marking a 77% increase over two years. Given that many violations likely go undetected, the actual scale of illegal hiking is presumed to be much larger.

Cooking, smoking, and public defecation... Illegal hiking spreads via social media

The illegal behaviors are becoming increasingly audacious. Since last year, there have been repeated violations such as camping, cooking, and smoking within Hallasan National Park. There was even a case where someone skied on the snow-covered mountain. This February, controversy arose when a hiker was found defecating near the summit.

Some even descend by attaching ropes to cliffs, raising concerns about potential rockfall accidents that could lead to fatalities. There are also growing worries about serious damage to Hallasan caused by reckless, unrestricted access.

Another issue is that illegal hiking is spreading online as a sort of "proof culture."

Assemblywoman Park pointed out the gravity of the situation: "Blog posts, YouTube, and social media platforms are increasingly filled with people describing or boasting about their illegal Hallasan climbs. There are posts showing people fetching water from Baengnokdam or dangerously posing for proof shots on cliffs."

She further emphasized, "If YouTube videos and other posts depicting illegal acts continue to spread, administrative measures are needed, such as requesting takedowns from social media platforms."

A visitor fetching water from Baengnokdam Crater Lake on Hallasan Mountain. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

A KRW 200,000 fine is not enough… 'Mobilize all field staff and unmanned surveillance devices'

While Hallasan National Park is expanding CCTV installations and drone patrols, proper enforcement remains challenging. Illegal hikers often enter the park between 1 and 2 AM, when staff are absent, watch the sunrise from Seoreung, Hyeolmangbong, or the Baengnokdam area, and then descend, thereby evading surveillance.

Under the Act on Natural Parks, violations such as entry via non-designated trails are subject to a fine of KRW 200,000. However, the council pointed out that some climbers regard this as a mere "cost worth bearing" and continue to hike illegally.

Jung Geunsik, Head of the Hallasan National Park Office, stated, "We will strengthen crackdowns on illegal activities within Hallasan by mobilizing not only field staff, but also unmanned surveillance devices and drones. We will invoke the most severe penalty provisions within the relevant laws, and will actively consider filing criminal complaints if necessary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.