Hwalok Cave in Chungju has become the center of controversy due to the absence of a responsible safety management agency and issues of unauthorized occupation. 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 cave to restore the illegally occupied 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 safety management blind spot. Additionally, it was revealed that part of Hwalok Cave is illegally occupying national forest land managed by the Korea Forest Service.
The Korea Forest Service became aware of this in July 2023 and issued the first restoration order in May 2024. Despite issuing four restoration orders and administrative execution plans, no substantial action has been taken yet. Chungju City and the cave operators argue that the administrative execution by the Korea Forest Service is excessive.
Since 2019, issues regarding the irregular operation of Hwalok Cave 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, prompting the National Assembly to urge the Korea Forest Service to carry out the administrative execution for restoration. It is urgent to clarify the safety management responsibility through legal institutionalization and ensure the safety of tourists.