An Urgent Appeal to Help Stop the Great Korea Canal Project From The Korean Federation Of Environmental Movements

Environmentalists in South Korea request urgent support to protect river ecosystems in Korea as new President Lee, Myung-bak, who was inaugurated on February 25th, is making a strong drive to construct the Great Korea Canal Project..

The proposed canal project would connect the four largest rivers in South Korea by constructing three large canals. The largest canal, the Gyeongbu Canal Project, would cut the length of South Korea, connecting Seoul in the northwest to Busan (Pusan) at the southeast tip of the peninsula.President Lee hopes to boost economies along the canal as well as the national economy by supporting the construction industry and transporting commodities through the canal. The Gyeongbu Canal would be one of the largest infrastructure projects in Korea¡¯s history, and would create a 540km scar on the Korean landscape as it connect the Han and Nakdong River systems. This project would require the excavation and constant dredging of these rivers to maintain a depth of 6.1 meters, and would widen the rivers to as much as 300meters in order to accommodate the planned 5,000 ton cargo ships.

The Great Korea Canal Project is further complicated by the fact that a mountain range runs down the peninsula, separating the two riversystems. The Project plans call for the construction of 26km long underground tunnel and a 17 km long artificial, concrete waterway.Despite the fact that final plans have not been drafted nor has an Environmental Impact Assessment been conducted (as required by law) President Lee pledges to complete the Canal during his 5 year term.

If completed, the Canal Project and pollution from the heavy cargo ships would seriously threaten the drinking water of 24 million people. Furthermore, linking two major river ecosystems that have been separated by mountain ranges would cause irreparable damage to these ecosystems and the biodiversity they support. These rivers and wetlands provide vitally important habitats for various species endemic to their respective river. Indeed, the Ministry of Environment reports that these rivers support 58 wildlife species specifically protected by Korea¡¯s own environmental legislation because of their rarity and importance to the Korean nation. The Han River estuary, the Nakdong River estuary and Upo Wetland, a Ramsar Site, would be especially affected along with the globally threatened and endangered species that depend on them.

For example, the Han River Estuary is vital to the Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor, White-naped Crane Grus vipio, Swan Goose Anser cygnoide, ducks, geese and shorebirds. It is regularly used by more than 100,000 water birds including up to 670 Swan Geese Anser cygnoides (1% of the global population), 18,000 Bean Geese Anser fabalis (19% of the global population), 450 White-naped Cranes Grus vipio (6% of the global population). On Yu Island, a small island in the middle of the river estuary, more than 100 breeding pairs of Black-faced Spoonbills Platalea minor were found in 2006.

The Nakdong River Estuary is a wintering site of the Black Kite Milvus mirgans, Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus, White-tailed Sea Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, Swans Cygnus sp., Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, and Saunders' Gull Larus saundersi. It is regularly used by more than 75,000 waterbirds including 205 White-naped Cranes Grus vipio (3% of the global population), and 114 Saunders' Gulls Larus saundersi (1% of the global population).

Upo Wetland is a wetland in the flood-plain of the Nakdong River and is one of the few Ramsar Sites in South Korea.It is home to numerous rare and endangered species including Eurasian Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia and White-tailed Sea Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla.

According to a Gallup Korea poll reported on 11th February, 2008, 49.2% of Korean people opposethe project, and only 30% support it. It is obvious that Korea citizens want to preserve the rivers and wetlands of Korea.

Korean environmental groups are banding together to fight this enormously destructive project. We have already experienced many victories and defeats in our efforts to save the habitats and ecosystems of the Korea Peninsula. We learned from the successful campaign to stop the Dong River dam that if we work together to expose the unnecessary destructiveness of a large infrastructure project we can win. But we have also witnessed the destruction of the largest tidal wetland in the world. The Saemangeum Tidal Flat Reclamation Project has already destroyed some of the world¡¯s vital biodiversity because we did not act fast enough. We did not mobilize until after the bulldozers had started destroying globally important wetlands. And now those wetlands are almost gone. We have learned from Saemangeum and are now mobilizing before the plans are approved. We are fighting for the Han and Nakdong River estuaries before construction companies meet with President Lee to get rich at the expense of Korean citizens and the world¡¯s wildlife.

The future of the East Asian-Australasian flyway and the Yellow Sea eco-region depend on these rivers and wetlands.Urgent international support is crucial in halting this environmentally devastating and economically wasteful project.

Please send us your endorsement for the following letter to Mr. Lee Myung-bak, new President of South Korea by March 25.

Thank you very much in advance for your support.

Sncerely yours,
Ahn, Byung-ok, Ph.D
Secretary General: Korea Federation for Environmental Movements/Friends of the Earth Korea
For more information, please contact Mr. Ma Yong-Un, at wetland@kfem.or.kr
Please sign and E:Mail the following letter to Mr. Ma at wetland@kfem.or.kr

Dear Honorable President Lee Myung-bak,

I am writing you to express my deep and sincere concern about your proposed Great Korea Canal Project.

I strongly urge you to cancel your plan to construct a series of canals in order to link the four largest river systems in South Korea.South Korea has the opportunity to lead East Asia in environmental sustainability. Instead, your proposed Great Korea Canal Project will show the world that your administration is not committed to preserving the environment for future generations. Also, South Korea is not only a signatory to the UN Ramsar Convention for wetlands of International Importance, but will also host the next Conference of Parties of the Ramsar Convention in late October. Given the internationally important wetlands that would be destroyed by your proposed canal project, South Korea will be subject to international pressure to uphold and respect the Ramsar Convention and Convention on Biological Diversity, and give up this wasteful project.

Time Magazine chose you as an environmental hero in November 2007. Your proposed Great Korea Canal Project makes it seem as if Time Magazine made a mistake. I would like to ask you to show the world your new leadership in environmental protection as an environmental hero by canceling the canal project.

Sincerely yours,

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