Korean Government Consider "Development" in National Parks

Can someone please tell me where is Green Korea on this?:

A bill that would allow seven national parks to be developed without concern for the environment is under consideration in the National Assembly, triggering a dispute among government offices, civic groups and lawmakers.

According to the Ministry of Environment, the Assembly’s Construction and Transportation Committee is likely to endorse the bill, which applies mainly to the development of the south and east coast, on Monday.

The bill would make studies on the environmental effects of construction in these areas non-binding.

The seven areas to be affected are Mt. Chiri, Hallyo, Wolchul, Kaya, Tokyu and Naejang national parks.

Kim Seok-joon, a lawmaker in the committee evaluating the bill, said the measure is essential to develop the eastern and southern part of the country.

He said that the government was only concentrating on the west coast, but the bill would also bring attention to other parts of the country.

For those that don’t know the word "development" in Korea is actually code word for allowing the building of even more apartments.  Korea’s national parks are quite beautiful and I’m willing to bet the developers want to build apartments on the national park land because they can charge higher fees to sell the apartments because of views of the parks.  I have to wonder the next time I go to Kayasan if I’m going to see an apartment complex next to Haeinsa temple? 

I find it interesting that Green Korea protested harder about a minor issue like the 2000 water dumping incident than about the "development" of seven national parks with more on the way.  How come Green Korea isn’t protesting the government and rioting in front of Cheongwadae like they do when they are protesting USFK?  I think it is safe to say we know the answer to that one.

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lcgrant
lcgrant
17 years ago

Golf courses; not apartments. My wife says that they want to make the east coast of Korea sort of a "Mission Hills" type of resort.

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