Saemangeum reclamation project

   It has been declared that Saemangeum reclamation project would be continued. The government suggested that it would bring us more farmlands, more water resources, and more territories by expanding lands. Also, it could make a new and better traffic network by constructing roads on a tide embankment. However, those suggestions are undesirable and unreasonable in the sense that Saemangeum reclamation project destructs our ecosystems, wastes too much money, and that so many organizations are opposed to the project.

   To begin with, Saemangeum reclamation project destroys our nature and ecosystems. It¡¯s famous for clams and Saemangeum tideland is a very environmental place with many organisms. Such organism as clams, lugworms, fingerlings, waterfowls and etc., live there, but the project destructs this place and kills many organisms. According to the scientific research, after the construction, from 1997 to 1999, fish rate has decreased by 32% and shellfish rate has decreased by 84.5%. It also destroys habitats of birds that lives and interacts with tidelands. Saemangeum project is a very unethical and non-environmental way.

   Not only ocean ecosystems, Saemangeum project also ruins the land ecosystems. Agricultural Based Construction Company destroyed about 150 mountains such as Hae-Chang stony mountain and Byun-San peninsula. In other words, Saemangeum reclamation project is a mixed environmental pollution.

   Also, extremely large amounts of money have been spent. The working expenses are gradually increasing. In 1991, the working expenses are about 1 trillion and 3 hundred billion won, but now, about 2 trillion and 2 hundred billion won. What¡¯s more, the Board of Audit Inspection inferred that it is still from 1/20 to 1/5 of total expected expenses. That means still tons of money should be spent in the project. It might result in raising taxes. Thus, the going ahead of Saemangeum project is like indulging in gambling no matter how much money would be lost. Saemangeum project might fall into debt due to the extreme number of expenses. Stopping this project can keep our economy alive.

   Still another point is that many citizens and domestic and international groups or organizations are opposed to the project. According to the survey, 90% of citizens declared themselves against Saemangeum reclamation project for their descendants. In addition, for example, Green Peace, Sierra Club, Friends of Earth, and International Rivers Network showed serious concerns about the destruction of tidelands. Many domestic groups, for instance, human rights organizations, educational groups, even some agricultural groups are opposed to progress the Saemangeum project. Besides, the prize winners for Goldman environment Prize, which is the most famous and authorized award, said that Korea should stop their Saemangeum reclamation project. Moreover, in RAMSAR international conference, the declaration about urging and stopping Saemangeum reclamation project was officially selected.

   Considering the destruction of ecosystems, loss of extreme amounts of working expenses, and many domestic and international groups that is opposed to the Saemangeum project, it is much more beneficial to stop the project rather than continuing. There is an alternative way to develop Jun-Lado not through the Saemangeum project. Like Germany, and England, the government should focus on the conservation of environment and set up a new economic policy that promotes the level of income and welfare in the 21st century.

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