A Future, a Hope: Saemangeum

A FUTURE, A HOPE: SAEMANGEUM

Nguyen Huu Ngu – research student

Division of Resource Management and Environmental Science
Faculty of Environmental Science

The Saemangeum reclamation project, the largest reclamation project in the world has been proceeding since 1991. This project aims at reclaiming 41,100 hectas of tidal flat, by the construction of a 33 km breakwater for agriculture, industry and aquaculture connecting two areas Gunsan and Buan. A traffic route between Gunsan and Buan will be shorten from 99 km to 33 km. This will generally improve overland transportation by connecting the mainland to the islands.

P1: Saemangeum tidal flat

Saemangeum is a spawning ground for large portions of fish and seafood, which provide livelihood to coastal communities. The benefits of Saemangeum project are far-out weighed by the cost to the environment and the local community. The arguments for the project are based on food security, value of tidal flat, water policy and economic estimation. The Ministry tries to create the impression that after the completion of the bank, a mud flat will exist and house all kinds of life. However, this is partially true as a mud flat will form ten thousands years or more later. Additionally, the bank will change water flow and cause coastal land to sink. The Saemangeum natural environment will be forever changed.

P2: A kind of shellfish in Seamangeum

Things lost because of the project:

Ecosystem:

-Loss of habitat area – this area is composed of sand and clay that is suitable for the spawning and habitation of the sea marine creatures.

-Loss of spawning, birth, and breeding places of marine resources.

-Disappearance of full - size river mouth ecosystem; loss of abundant mineral and organic resources.

-Loss of natural purification function for pollution, especially filtration of heavy metals such as copper and lead.

-Loss of important habitat for endangered bird species.

Water quality: water pollution of fresh water lake and the coastal zone.

Saemangeum exploitation-project destroys sea and land life. It will inevitably destroy the ecological system of the coastal wetland. Sand and stone require a huge amount for building the sea-dike. Otherwise, Saemangeum project wastes unbearably heavy tax. According to a report written by “The Korean federation for environmental movement”: “the budget for the Saemangeum project increased from 8,200 million to 2 billion 2,137 million Won. The construction and equipment budget for improving water quality was 8,200 million Won and the budget for constructing sanitary facilities was 6,505 million Won. But, the budget for the improving water quality increased to 1 billion 251 million Won”. Therefore, to stop the waste of taxpayer’s money and to save the environment, the project necessarily should be stopped. Strictly speaking, taxpayer’s have more of a right to decide how to use the reclaimed tidal flat land than local governments because the project is being financed with their precious money.

We should think 2 solutions:

-Firstly, if the project is stopped, what things will happen to the bank which is now constructed? The Government invested a lot of money, and now, if the project must stop, it is wasteful or not?. What will you do with the bank and gates that are already constructed? How will it effect the tidal flat and resident population? ...etc..

-Secondly, if the project still continues, whether it is implemented for its original purpose or not. Studies shown that Saemangeum will die and another tidal flat will be formed outer the bank. How will the local people live in the future? The place where they work is more and more further. Do the local people life more change compared with previously? What happen with the environment here? Whether shorebirds and shellfishes exist and return to tidal flat or not..etc..

P3: Construction the gate of breakwater

Another thing is the local province plans to build the world’s largest golf complex there with 540 holes in order to increase its tourism revenues. And certainly the reclaimed area will be polluted from toxic chemicals used to protect the golf course lawns. According to local people, the central government is considering using the reclaimed land for purposes other than the original one such as building an environmentally friendly high-tech industrial estate which will further increase the incomes of the people in and around the region.

P4: Construction of the bank

By protecting Saemangeum, South Korea could establish its position in Asia as a nation committed to the conservation of global biodiversity and environmentally sustainable development. The government should pay attention to the opinions of local people, environmental organizations and scientists. Saemangeum tidal flat should be alive.

References

Chul-Hwan Koh, 2002. A brief introduction to geomorphology, reclamation and conservation. Published by the Korean Society for the Life of Saemangeum, November, 5-13.

Chul-Hwan Koh, 2002. Sediment Fauna, Fisheries Catches and Land Earning from the Korean Tidal Flat, Korea. Published by the Korean Society for the Life of Saemangeum, November, 14-24.

Han-Hee Hahm, 2002. Listening to the Fishermens Cry. Published by the Korean Society for the Life of Saemangeum, November, 43-48.

Ji-Young Jang, 2002. Conservation Movements for Saemangeum Tidal Flat. Published by the Korean Society for the Life of Saemangeum, November, 59-64.

Korean Agricultural & Rural Infrastructure Corporation. Saemangeum, a splendid panorama for Our Bright Fututre, Journal of Korean Agricultural & Rural Infrastructure Corporation, 3-14

The Korean federation for environmental movement, 2000:Statement by Professors Protesting the Saemangeum Project. See

Seung-Soo Chun, 2002. Physical Environment of Saemangeum Estuary. Published by the Korean Society for the Life of Saemangeum, November, 26-42.

CHEONGYECHEONG: A NEW WIND FOR SEOUL

Nguyen Huu Ngu – research student

Division of Resource Management and Environmental Science
Faculty of Environmental Science

Cheongyecheong was a stream running through the center of Seoul from East to West. Its waters flowed down from Mt. Bugaksan and Mt. Inwangsan to the North, Mt. Naksan to the East, and Mt. Namsan to the South. The project entered construction in July 2003, starting with the dismantling of the Cheongyecheon Elevated expressway and the scheduled completion date for late 2005.

P5: Construction of the Cheongyecheon stream

Along the Cheongyecheon stream, nowadays, there are many small shop where you could buy literally anything you need at a reasonable price, be it clothing, electronics, antiques, pets, or any one of a thousand other items. The sidewalk is narrow, and the wares flowed out into the street itself. But there was a fascinatingly jumbled atmosphere to the market that seemed like a remnant of another time.

When the Cheongyechon is restored, the center of Seoul will be greatly changed. The competitiveness of Seoul will be raised by increasing public sector investment. The cultural and historical heritage of the city center will be preserved. Because Seoul had a long history over 600 years, thus, in order to restore the historic edifices and structural components, Seoul’s government should consult experts in the field as much as possible and must achieve an ideal between respecting the past and the practical demands arising from Korean modern life-style and present reality. Harmony between past and present should be used as guiding principle in the implementing of this project.

P6: Pavement along the Cheongyecheon stream

Seoul city will make the city center a pleasant place for citizens to shop as well as to learn about and enjoy culture. Cheongyecheon will create a natural ecosystem at the heart of an urban metropolis, a vegetated green islet with clean water running through it. Seoul will be transformed into an environmentally friendly city, offering a livable environment that is people-centered.

There is hope for a new kind of life here. The water of the stream will flow again, assisted by feats of modern engineering which allow 120,000 tons of water to be pumped here from the Hangang river and other underground sources. And citizens will once again walk here, enjoy trees and grass, and perhaps even do a little shopping. Seoul is getting its soul back, when the Cheongyecheon was covered and the traditional houses around it were demolished as part of the drive towards an economic miracle during 1960s and 1970s.

A Future, a Hope: Saemangeum