Posted on : Feb.5,2005 14:00 KST Modified on : Feb.5,2005 14:00 KST

The Seoul Administrative Court has granted a partial victory in the lawsuit by environmental groups calling for the Saemangeum land reclamation project to be scrapped.

Specifically, the court ordered that the permit to fill in public waters at Saemangeum had to be canceled or modified, having sided with environmental groups in their claim that there existed a risk that water quality could be hurt and that the mudflats have economic value. It issued an urgent order based on the finding the "Saemangeum project carries great environmental, ecological, and economic risk." It dismissed the request that the overall project be halted, however, and did not order a halt to the construction work on the sea wall that is currently under way. The intention seems to be to prevent a situation in which the project itself drifts aimlessly for prolonged period of time while encouraging the government and environmental groups to seek a negotiated agreement back at the starting point.

We would like to encourage the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and other government agencies to approach this decision with an open mind. If the government files an appeal the case will eventually be put to a legal conclusion, but it would be much more important and productive for there to be an agreement worked out, outside of the courtroom. It must not insist that the project plans already in place are the best way to continue.

We hope to see groups to give the decision some careful thought. They need to ponder what the alternatives can be when 92 percent of the sea wall construction is complete. Obstinately putting environmental causes before all else makes it hard to win public support and can easily lead to a consuming and endless fight


Construction on the sea wall's water break is set to begin at the end of the year, so there approximately a year's worth of time remains. Time is precious there is going to be an avoidance of the project becoming a case where the people's taxes are poured down a "bottomless jug." We strongly encourage both sides to sit at the negotiation table.

Finally, and though they may be dissatisfied with the decision, local residents should refrain from doing anything drastic or encouraging drastic behavior. Not only because the legal process is still in motion, but also because it is a state project that requires the country's wisdom and resourcefulness. .

The Hankyoreh, 5 February 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]

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