Chungju's representative tourist attraction, 'Hwalok Cave', will be closed indefinitely from the 7th.

(Chungju = Yonhap News) Reporter Park Geon-young = Youngwoo Resources, the operator of Hwalok Cave, a representative tourist attraction in the Chungju region of North Chungcheong Province, announced on the 6th that it will be closed indefinitely from the 7th.

Youngwoo Resources said, "Chungju City pointed out the minor lack of facilities at the Salok Tourist Farm and announced the suspension of operations as a step toward closing the Salok Cave. If the suspension of operations becomes a reality, there is a possibility of legal charges and even cancellation of the permit in the future. This is the worst situation that could lead to the disappearance of the Salok Cave."

He added, “Accordingly, our company judged that the normal operation of the Live Ok Cave has reached a point where it is impossible, and we have inevitably decided to close the facility temporarily.” He added, “We plan to promote the maintenance of the cave viewing path and facilities.”

Live Ok Cave is a large mine with a total length of 57 km where talc, white jade, and dolomite were mined during the Japanese colonial era. Youngwoo Resources has been operating the approximately 2.3 km tunnel section as a tourist attraction since 2019 after the cessation of mining.

However, controversy over illegal operation continued, including receiving a fine and summary order for operating a kayak without a permit and engaging in a lawsuit with the forestry authorities over unauthorized occupation of a national forest.

Chungju City announced a 15-day business suspension early this year, saying that Youngwoo Resources was not properly managing the farming experience facility, which is a requirement for permission, while continuing to sell souvenirs in the cave that were not included in the business plan.