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Resume the Saemangum Reclamation Project

Posted May. 25, 2001 07:56,   

한국어

The government announced Friday that it has decided to resume the controversial Saemangum Reclamation Project which had been suspended for two-years since 1999.

The Water Management Policy Coordination Committee, under Prime Minister Lee Han-song, said that the seawall will be completed as scheduled, followed by the development of the Dongjin River area. However, the work project at the Mangyong River section will not commence until the water quality is confirmed to be within specified parameters.

Na Seong-Po, Minister of Office for Government Policy Coordination, said, ``If debate over the Saemangum Reclamation Project continues, it will split the public opinion on the project and increase people’s burden through the aggravated conflict and mistrust. Therefore, this is the time to end the controversial debate by making a reasonable decision based on the previous discussions on this matter.`` The Saemangum Reclamation Project will be completed by 2011 at a total cost of 3.1737 trillion won with an additional cost of 2.3888 trillion won.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry said, ``The construction of a seawall will be completed by 2004. The construction of reclamation of Dongjin River area in which water pollution is less of concern will be completed by 2008. Mangyong River section will be completed by 2011 after improving the water quality.`` Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry also added that ``if the construction projects are completed, 14,000 tons of rice production and 10 million tons of water resources for agriculture per year will be secured.``

The government plans to put an additional cost of 1.1 trillion won to improve the water quality. The government will also invest 225.7 billion won to construct the artificial damp land and watercourse for the inflow of Keum River water in order to improve the water quality of Saemangumho.

Residents of Cheonbuk Province welcomed the government’s decision. Bang Young-Sun (69), executive secretary of `Pan-Cheonbuk Province Committee for the Continuation of Saemangum Reclamation Project`, said, ``The government’s decision illustrates that it has accepted the power and will of the residents of Cheonbuk Province.`` However, both environmental organizations and the religious organizations strongly opposed the government’s decision, saying that ``it is invalid.``

Meanwhile, two opposite sides stood against each other at the meeting of the Water Management Private Organization Committee prior to the meeting of the Water Management Policy Coordination Committee. The participants, Choi Yeol, general-secretary of Korean Federation for Environmental Movement, and Yim Sam-Jin, general-secretary of Green Korea United, said that ``8 committee members out of 17 insisted on the suspension of the project. Only 5 members agreed on the project. We will begin the struggle for the suspension of the project after discussing with the representatives of other civic organizations and religious organizations. We will refuse any kind of dialogue or cooperation with the government.``



Jung Young-Gwan yongari@donga.com