Unregistered Campsites Thrive Despite Safety Risks and Light Penalties
Creatrip Team
a month ago
Camping has become a major leisure activity in Korea, with about 6.34 million campers in 2025 and over 4,000 registered campsites. But illegal, unregistered, and loophole-operated sites—especially glampling (glamping) and caravans—are proliferating across mountains, valleys, and coasts, threatening safety. Penalties for unregistered operations are weak and enforcing authorities are understaffed, so some operators treat fines as a cost of business. Registered campsites invest heavily in fire and gas safety, waterproof outlets, and liability insurance, while illegal sites often ignore safety rules, expand into hazardous areas, and sometimes use modified containers or permanent structures that should meet building standards. Accidents (including carbon monoxide poisoning) at unregistered sites may not be covered by insurance, leaving visitors liable. Experts and officials call for stronger, faster administrative measures—such as immediate power/water cuts, closure orders, and allowing demolition or sealing of facilities—and for updating regulations to apply proper fire/structural standards to glamping and caravan-type accommodations. Proposals also include expanding local enforcement powers and enabling quick access to booking and transaction data to prove commercial operations. The government aims to increase enforcement effectiveness to remove the profit incentive for illegal camping businesses and protect both consumers and compliant operators.
