[Seoul's Future] Professor Han Bong-ho "Han River is a Healing Space for Urban Residents... Hope to See Great Swans Flying Around"

Professor Han Bong-ho Met at Olympic Park on the Afternoon of the 29th
"The Han River is Nature... A Space to Relieve Stress"
"Tourism Resource Development Means Preserving and Appreciating What Exists Well"

"The zelkova tree is called 'neutinamu' because it sprouts late," explained Professor Han Bong-ho of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Seoul, whom I met on the afternoon of the 29th of last month at Olympic Park in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. Unlike other trees that were sprouting fresh green leaves, the zelkova tree showed no sign of leaves yet. Pointing to a birch tree with peeling bark, Professor Han said, "Birch trees have incredibly strong vitality, so they are planted as street trees. In Europe, these trees are very important because cities need shade, but in our country, they tend to be neglected since they are not native trees." His voice was full of enthusiasm as he explained the meaning behind each tree that some might have overlooked. I listened to his thoughts on the significance and future of the Han River.

Below is a Q&A with Professor Han.

Professor Han Bong-ho, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Seoul. Standing in front of the plane trees at Seoul Olympic Park, he is speaking. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

- What significance does the Han River hold within the heart of Seoul?

▲ The Han River in Seoul stretches 41.5 km. However, when considering the water flowing into the Han River, we cannot talk about just the Seoul section alone. It is connected to all the water in the central region of the Korean Peninsula, including the metropolitan area. We need to look at it broadly as a single natural entity located at the center of our national territory. From the perspective of nature, let's delve deeper. Nature has life. If there were no life in the Han River, it wouldn't be called a 'river.' Assuming life exists, the Han River is not just a sewage treatment plant or a canal but a river. Among the life forms looking at the Han River is human life. Nearly 10 million citizens gaze upon the Han River, viewing it as a space for relaxation and healing to relieve stress. Without nature, urban citizens would have no place for recreation. To properly appreciate the Han River in Seoul, we need to consider how humans in the city can better enjoy and utilize this natural resource.

- Ecologically, the Han River holds important significance. Could you introduce some of the animal and plant species currently seen in the Seoul Han River?

▲ The most talked-about animal recently is the otter. Otters were not present in the past but have been increasing steadily. This is because artificial concrete structures were removed, and nature was restored, creating spaces where otters can rest along the Han River. Otters are now observed on Bamseom Island and at Nanji Ecological Park. Water deer can also be seen in the Han River. Water deer, literally meaning deer living with water, are found in places like Amsa-dong Wetlands, Tancheon Stream, Jungnangcheon Stream, Gangseo Wetlands Ecological Park, and Nanji Wetlands. In Korea, water deer are often considered pests damaging crops, but globally, they are endangered species because they only inhabit the Korean Peninsula and nearby Manchuria. A concern is their high mobility and ability to jump, meaning if they reach the urban Han River via the lower Han River, they could cross places like Olympic-daero. While it would be nice for water deer to reach central Seoul's Han River, there is also fear because they might die in the process.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

- It's fascinating that otters and water deer are in Seoul. Are there species that were once common but are now rare?

▲ The swan, specifically the large white swan, is absent from the Seoul Han River but is present in the Han River near Hanam. About 300 to 400 swans fly to the area below Paldang Dam each winter. These birds are very sensitive and keep a distance of 150 to 200 meters from humans. If we enter that zone, they perceive it as an attack. Large birds find flying difficult; excessive flying depletes their energy, affecting their ability to lay eggs upon returning to breeding grounds. Since the comprehensive development of the Han River, swans have rarely come down. Similarly, there are lesser white-fronted geese and greater white-fronted geese in the lower reaches, but these birds do not enter the Seoul Han River. These birds are large and visible, so citizens would enjoy seeing them. It would be wonderful if swans could fly over the Han River. Besides birds, there is a fish called the finless porpoise, known as sanggwang in Korean. In the Joseon Dynasty, whales presumed to be finless porpoises were observed where Ttukseom and Jungnangcheon meet. Other animals no longer seen in the central Han River include the Korean sturgeon and yellow pufferfish, which were once royal tributes, and the wildcat known as the Korean leopard cat.

- There has been much talk about invasive species disrupting the Han River's ecosystem. Are there any problematic species recently?

▲ I would point to the thorny bamboo vine (gasi-bak). It is a vine plant with thorns on its seeds and stems. It was not originally in the Han River but came as an alien species upstream and spreads downstream with rainwater. Being a vine, it climbs trees, blocking photosynthesis and causing the trees to die. Plants beneath also perish, greatly reducing biodiversity. If native producer plants disappear, the animals dependent on the food chain will also vanish. Additionally, red-eared slider turtles, introduced as pets and released or escaped, are predators that consume fish fry. These animals have strong vitality and require management as representative invasive species.

- Are there any ecologically notable spots along the Han River?

▲ The uppermost Han River, bordering Hanam City, is a protected area with two ecological parks. Moving downstream, Gangseo Wetlands and Nanji in the lower Han River have restored and protected ecosystems. Bamseom Island and Yeouido Saetgang are definite protected areas. To elaborate, there is Jeojado Island in the middle of Ttukseom, where Jungnangcheon meets the Han River. In winter, migratory birds rest there. The confluence slows the current, and the Dongho Bridge there creates a lake-like area on the east side of the Han River. The slow current makes it an important ecological resting place for birds.

Another notable spot is Nodeul Island. The southern part is a space for citizens, while the northern part remains forested. When Mayor Oh Se-hoon was in office, the biggest obstacle to building an opera house there was the presence of the endangered Korean fire-bellied toad (maenggong-i), designated by the Ministry of Environment. Development plans were made without proper surveys, causing strong opposition. Later, the area was converted into a cultural space, but issues persisted. There was a proposal to relocate the toads, but concerns about their survival arose. I insisted that if relocated, they should not be moved beyond a 1 km radius and prepared a habitat on the northern part of Nodeul Island. To minimize stress, when toads were observed, the surrounding soil was scooped up together so they wouldn't notice being moved, transferring them one by one. The area is now controlled until the toads stabilize and settle, and their population has significantly increased.

Professor Han Bong-ho, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Seoul. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

- The Han River is a tourist attraction for both locals and foreigners. However, some argue that tourism inevitably damages the ecological environment. What direction should the Han River take as a tourism resource?

▲ Tourism requires a subject to be appreciated. For example, when visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, people do not climb on the roof to view it. If the Han River is a tourism resource, it should be preserved and appreciated from beside it. So far, tourism development has focused on exploiting its image. Heavy machinery has been used to excavate and damage nature along the Han River. Tourism has become a means of development.

- How would you evaluate Seoul's Han River policies?

▲ Recent policies are gradually shifting toward how citizens can enjoy nature. Although some development plans remain, the notable point is the willingness to expand protected areas along the Han River. For example, Mayor Oh announced plans to expand ecological landscape conservation areas. The 'Great Sunset Han River Project' reflects the intention to offer citizens the natural scenery. Including the natural phenomenon of the sunset in the project name implies that visitors can enjoy beautiful sunsets at the Han River. This shows a commitment to providing natural experiences to citizens and using the river for tourism. Identifying the most beautiful spots to watch the sunrise and sunset along the Han River and creating spaces for citizens and tourists could enable sustainable tourism development.

- Are there still areas for improvement?

▲ Policy announcements tend to be impulsive. Policies should be consistent with long-term plans, but there is a tendency to announce short-term, performance-driven policies. Administrative and environmental issues that may arise during implementation and expert opinions are often not reflected, resulting in event-like policy announcements. For example, the 'Seoul Port Development Project' requires a long-term process and careful planning. Although the Han River can be used as a waterway for boats, projects should be planned considering nature and regulating boat routes rather than attempting indiscriminately.

- What do you think is necessary for coexistence between people and nature along the Han River?

▲ I hope people understand the Han River as nature. Valuing it as a living natural entity would be ideal. The Han River should be beautiful, and development should be balanced with the surrounding areas. Another wish is to improve citizens' accessibility to the Han River by removing riverside roads. For example, the Gangbyeonbuk-ro currently forces citizens to enter underground tunnels to reach the river. To restore the Han River as a tourism resource and return it to the citizens, I hope to keep only parts of Gangbyeonbuk-ro and create a Han River centered more on people than vehicles.

Who is Professor Han Bong-ho of the University of Seoul's Department of Landscape Architecture? Professor Han is an environmental ecology expert who has participated in various Seoul city-related studies, including the 2013 basic plan for restoring the naturalness of the Han River, the 2020 academic research for detailed plans to protect Seoul's wildlife, and the 2021 precise monitoring of ecological landscape changes in Godeok-dong. Since last year, he has also served on the Ministry of Environment's Central Environmental Policy Committee and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Integrated Evaluation Committee. He has been a faculty member at the University of Seoul's Department of Landscape Architecture since March 2003.