Hwalok Cave in Chungju has become the center of controversy due to the absence of a responsible safety management agency and issues of unauthorized occupancy. This cave, visited by 500,000 tourists annually, is exposed to safety risks amidst a dispute between Chungju City and the Central Mine Safety Office over responsibility. Additionally, the Korea Forest Service has ordered the restoration of the cave’s unauthorized occupation of national forest land, but no action has been taken yet.
Hwalok Cave has established itself as a major tourist attraction in Chungju, but it operates without permission to use underground facilities. Chungju City claims that the Central Mine Safety Office under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy should be responsible for safety management, as the cave is a mining facility. On the other hand, the Central Mine Safety Office argues that the safety management of the cave, as a multi-use facility, is the responsibility of Chungju City. This has left the cave in a blind spot for safety management. Additionally, it was revealed that part of Hwalok Cave occupies national forest land under the jurisdiction of the Korea Forest Service without permission.
The Korea Forest Service became aware of this in July 2023 and issued the first restoration order in May 2024. Despite four subsequent restoration orders and administrative enforcement plans, no substantial action has been taken. Chungju City and the cave operators argue that the administrative enforcement by the Korea Forest Service is excessive.
Since 2019, issues regarding the cave’s irregular operations have been raised, but the problem of the absence of a responsible safety management agency has not been resolved. This issue was eventually brought up in this year’s National Assembly audit, leading the National Assembly to urge the Korea Forest Service to proceed with administrative enforcement for restoration. Looking at other legally operated cave tourist attractions nationwide, it is unconvincing to evade responsibility by citing laws. For example, the safety management of Gwangmyeong Cave in Gyeonggi Province is the responsibility of the Mayor of Gwangmyeong, Taehwagang Cavepia is managed by the Nam-gu Office in Ulsan, Hwaam Cave by the Jeongseon County Governor, and Muju Merlot Wine Cave by the Muju County Governor. So, who is responsible for the safety management of Hwalok Cave in Chungju?