South Korea

Incheon's Gyeyang District is struggling to reopen the Duri Camping Site in Gyulhyeon-dong and build a water park there. The project is stalled because two procedures block each other: obtaining a river occupancy permit from the Han River Basin Environmental Office requires budget, while securing a special grant from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety requires the permit. As a result, the local council cut the entire 528 million won budget in the first supplementary budget, and the permit review has been suspended. District officials say if the water park cannot be built, the entire reopening plan must be reconsidered. The original target of reopening by June 2027 is now unlikely, and even a post-2028 opening depends on budget availability.

Nam-gu District, Gwangju, will open the 'Pictol' auto camping site on August 1 with 16 drive-in pitches. Fees: 20,000 won on weekdays, 25,000 won on weekends and peak season.

South Korea's camping market is rapidly shifting toward glamping, caravans and dome houses, but the legal framework still treats all camping as tent-based. A seminar hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Assembly discussed the unclear legal status of new camping types, building area limits (currently 10% of site or 300 sq m in protected areas) and inconsistent local permit enforcement. Issues with foreign tourist booking and payment barriers, lack of multilingual safety information, and unregistered campsites were also highlighted.

The 2026 Busan Mobility Show, held from June 28 to July 7 in Busan, ended without any accidents. The exhibition featured UAM, electric vehicles, large motorhomes, and other mobility solutions. The concurrently held Korea Camper Show introduced electric campers and latest motorhomes. Eight global automakers including Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, BMW, MINI, BYD, Ineos Grenadier, and Ram participated.

Hampyeong County (South Jeolla Province) has designated the Aengdu Park area in Nasan-myeon as a hazard zone until September 30. During this period, tent camping, cooking, and overnight stays in motorhomes (chabak) are prohibited. The measure follows concerns over rapid water level rises in the stream due to heavy rain and upstream dam releases. Violators may face fines under the Disaster and Safety Management Act.

The South Korean city of Gwangyang (South Jeolla Province) has recommended four camping zones for the summer season of 2026. These include Geumcheon Valley Campground, Baekunsan Natural Recreation Forest, Gubongsan Forest Campground, and Baealdo Starlight Campground. The sites offer forest, stream, river, and sea views.