Saemangeum To Be Reborn as Industrial and Tourist Attraction

The Korean government decided to consider changing purpose of the Saemangeum reclamation project from developing farmland to creating tourist attraction and industrial R&D centers.

In addition, for more environmentally friendly development, the government is considering building an additional floodgate from the originally planned two on the seawall or expanding the size of them so that seawater can more freely travel in and out.

In briefing the blue print for the Saemangeum project, Presidential secretary Lee Young-tak said during July 22 cabinet meeting, “Reflecting local residents` opinion for environmentally friendly development as well as marketability, the government is examining on making the reclaimed land industrial study centers and tourist attraction rather than farmland.” Reclamation of Saemangeum was approved in 1991 for the purposes of developing farmland and water supply.

At the same time, regarding ways to expand the flow of seawater, Lee said, “Further examination will go over whether to use the two floodgates planed on Sinshi-do and Garyuk-do, expand the size of the gates, or build another gate to secure seawater flow channels.”

Seung-Ryun Kim srkim@donga.com