"We will hold full responsibility until the end, including forced execution and claim for damages"
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City (Mayor Heo Seok) held an on-site briefing on the 12th to discuss countermeasures against illegal development activities at the site near the Suncheonman Wetland, including salt fields and farmland.
This briefing was organized to raise awareness of the devastation caused by illegal land development activities spanning approximately 30,000㎡ near the Suncheonman Wetland around Nongju-ri, Haeryong-myeon, an ecological protection zone, and to review the progress of related measures.
Mayor Heo Seok inspected the illegal activity sites with city officials and instructed the relevant departments to firmly respond to illegal development activities in Suncheonman, which has been preserved through painstaking efforts by 280,000 Suncheon citizens over the past 20 years, emphasizing that no illegal acts will be tolerated.
The city departments reported their response plan to enforce laws and principles, including compulsory restoration and exercising the right of recourse to restore the illegally developed sites to their original state, and pledged to hold the perpetrators fully accountable and strengthen preventive activities.
Meanwhile, the illegal development near Suncheonman Wetland was carried out by real estate developer Mr. A, who, from around 2016 until February this year, posted a sign stating "Park Under Construction" and illegally altered the land, approximately 30,000㎡ including salt fields and farmland, through filling, stone tower construction, landscaping, and fence installation.
After recognizing the seriousness of the issue earlier this year, Suncheon City issued several orders for voluntary restoration and filed criminal charges; however, Mr. A has refused to restore the site and continued additional illegal development activities, countering with administrative lawsuits.
A city official stated, "We apologize to the citizens for not recognizing and properly responding to the large-scale illegal activities in Suncheonman until now," adding, "We will hold those responsible accountable to the end to restore trust in administration and strengthen prevention and monitoring activities to prevent recurrence of similar cases."
Mayor Heo Seok said, "Regarding the indiscriminate illegal development of the Suncheonman Wetland, no one will be exempt from consequences regardless of the cost or price paid," and added, "Together with the 280,000 great citizens of Suncheon, we will definitely protect the Suncheonman Wetland and nurture it as a precious natural heritage to be passed on to future generations through permanent preservation."
The Suncheonman Wetland area is a habitat for over 340 species of diverse plants, including reed fields and salt marshes, and is a refuge for about 240 species of migratory birds, including 36 rare species, making it a treasure trove of biodiversity.
In July 2018, the entire Suncheon City was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and in October, it was certified as one of the world's five major coastal wetland cities under the Ramsar Convention, an international wetland treaty, alongside the U.S. East Coast, Canadian East Coast, Brazil's Amazon River estuary, and the European North Sea coast.
It is not only one of the most beautiful places in Korea to witness sunrise and sunset but also the largest wintering site for the Hooded Crane in the country. It is visited by internationally significant species such as the Black-headed Gull, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Greater White-fronted Goose, making it a coastal wetland of great international importance and a natural heritage site recognized beyond Korea by the global community.
Additionally, after completing an on-site inspection last year, it is scheduled to be registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site next year.
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