“Deploring the Damage to Conservation Zones...
Unchecked Development Exacerbates Disasters”
Environmental groups have called for the cancellation of the Jirisan cable car construction plans in Gurye County, South Jeolla Province, and Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province.
The Jirisan Protection Coalition issued a statement on August 11, declaring, "Jirisan is the home of life and a sanctuary for all of us." The coalition urged, "The governors of Sancheong and Gurye counties must immediately withdraw the plans, and the Minister of Environment should reject the cable car project."
The coalition stated, "National parks must be preserved in their natural state, so it is deplorable that there are plans to damage the park's nature conservation zone, which accounts for only 1% of the area." They emphasized, "The areas of Jirisan National Park where the forest has remained untouched suffered no damage even during the recent heavy rains. Reckless construction of forest roads, logging, and indiscriminate development projects like the cable car only exacerbate disasters."
They further criticized, "Except for two locations nationwide, all cable cars are operating at a loss," and described the project as "a nationwide deception designed to funnel public funds into the pockets of politicians and construction companies."
The coalition asserted, "If we have any awareness and conscience, not a single excavator should be allowed to ascend Jirisan to tear it apart," and called for an immediate halt to the cable car project.
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