Controversy Over Plan to Build Golf Course Equivalent to 500 Soccer Fields in Buk-myeon, Cheonan

Three Companies Plan to Build or Expand Golf Courses in Bukmyeon
Habitat for Protected Species Including Siberian Flying Squirrel, Leopard Cat, and Red Bat

The Cheonan Civic Society Council, composed of civic groups from the Cheonan area, held a press conference at the Cheonan City Hall briefing room, demanding the suspension of the golf course development project in the Bukmyeon area of Dongnam-gu, Cheonan.

In Buk-myeon, Cheonan-si, Chungnam, there are plans to build or expand golf courses on a scale equivalent to over 500 soccer fields, prompting opposition from local residents and civic groups.

The Cheonan Civil Society Organizations Council, comprised of various civic groups in the Cheonan area, held a press conference at the Cheonan City Hall briefing room on the 19th, demanding a halt to golf course development projects in Buk-myeon, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan.

The area under consideration is where Company A is pushing to expand an 18-hole golf course (957,431 square meters) in Naban-ri, having already submitted a proposal to Cheonan City to amend the urban management plan.

In addition, Company B is proceeding with procedures to construct a 27-hole golf course (1,382,780 square meters) in Daepyeong-ri, investing 120 billion won. In April, the city announced the decision to designate the area as a tourism and recreation district in the urban management plan. Company C is also reportedly preparing to apply for a permit to develop an 18-hole golf course (983,570 square meters) in Myeongdeok-ri.

The main concern is that the concentration of golf course construction in the Buk-myeon area could lead to environmental destruction.

In fact, a strategic environmental impact assessment for the proposed changes to the urban management plan for new and expanded golf courses found the presence of the Siberian flying squirrel, a legally protected species, as well as traces of the leopard cat, a class II endangered species, and the red bat, raising concerns about changes to their habitats. In addition, there are claims that the already insufficient groundwater in the Buk-myeon area will be further depleted by golf course construction.

The Cheonan Civil Society Organizations Council stated, "There is no reason to make the already difficult journey toward carbon neutrality even more impossible by destroying millions of trees and polluting water quality through golf course development in the beautiful natural landscape of Buk-myeon." They added, "We urge Cheonan City to make a wise decision to halt golf course construction, in order to protect the natural environment, which is the foundation of our survival, preserve the sustainable forests and green spaces of our region, and ensure the future survival of our children."