Gariwangsan Cable Car 'Preservation' in Sight... "Agreement Drafted for Signing"

The government has decided to preserve the Gariwangsan cable car.

According to the Korea Forest Service on the 24th, the "Council for the Rational Restoration of Gariwangsan" (hereinafter referred to as the Council) finalized and signed an agreement effectively maintaining the Gariwangsan cable car on the same day.

Overview of Gariwangsan Alpine Skiing Stadium. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Originally, the Gariwangsan ski slope was created on the premise of "restoration after the Olympic closing" during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

However, after the Olympics ended, conflicts arose as the local community (Gangwon Province, Jeongseon County) insisted on preserving the cable car, while environmental groups demanded restoring Gariwangsan as initially promised.

In response, the government (Office for Government Policy Coordination) decided to operate the cable car temporarily until the end of 2024 and tasked the Korea Forest Service with reviewing the final maintenance decision within the set period.

Subsequently, the Korea Forest Service formed a consultative body including environmental groups, residents of Gangwon Province and Jeongseon, and various experts to reflect stakeholders' opinions in the policy decision process. After 12 meetings, the Council reached a final agreement on the 24th.

The core of the Council's agreement is the preservation of the cable car. The Council agreed to maintain cable car operations until alternatives that can sufficiently replace the economic, social, and cultural benefits gained by the local community through the cable car operation (rational restoration and utilization of Gariwangsan) are established.

Specifically, the Council presented three strategic goals and six implementation tasks based on environmental, social responsibility, and corporate governance improvement (ESG) values.

The big picture includes restoring the forest genetic resource protection area, which was deregulated when creating the ski slope, back to forest, and utilizing the lower area of Gariwangsan used as the ski slope for regional revitalization through research, education, healing, recreation, and forest experience activities.

Proposed methods for utilizing the lower area include ▲creating a forest-type garden ▲establishing the National Forest Restoration Research Institute ▲building the 2018 Winter Olympics Jeongseon Memorial Hall.

This means that cable car operations will be maintained until the benefits generated by the implementation of the alternatives proposed by the Council conflict with the benefits obtained from operating the cable car.

Choi Young-tae, Director of the Forest Protection Bureau at the Korea Forest Service, said, "We will continue to strive to create a global model of Gariwangsan forest restoration and Olympic legacy utilization for a life in harmony with nature and people, leaving a best practice example of coexistence and cooperation."