Fines for picking up acorns in public, South Korea

It’s interesting reading about what you can get fined for in different countries. In Australia you will be fined for jaywalking. In Japan, shopkeepers will get fined if they don’t keep their shop front as in the pavement spick and span.

In South Korea, people who are caught picking acorns in national theme parks will be hit with a heavy fine or even time behind bars. A government organisation said these measures are necessary to improve survival rates of wildlife.

The Korea National Park Service will heavily monitor the grounds to ensure people don’t pick nuts, fruits or berries. People picking up a few handfuls will be fined 100,000 won (100USD). In more severe cases, people may face up to 3 years in prison or a fine up to 30 million won (~27,000USD).

During autumn, the acorn season wildlife such as squirrels and Asian Black Bears rely on oak as a major food source. Asian black bears are categorised as Level 1 on the Endangered Species List.

Ref: Korea Times