Saemangeum Seawall
Encyclopedia
The Saemangeum Seawall, located on the southwest coast of the Korean peninsula
, is the world's longest man-made dyke, measuring 33 kilometres. It runs between two headlands, and separates the Yellow Sea
and the former Saemangeum
estuary.
In 1991, the South Korean government
announced that a dyke would be constructed to link two headlands just south of the South Korea
n industrial port city of Gunsan
, 270 kilometres southwest of Seoul
, to create 400 square kilometres of farmland and a freshwater reservoir. Since then, the government has spent nearly 2 trillion won
on construction of the dyke, with another 220 billion won budgeted on strengthening the dyke and a further 1.31 trillion won to transform the tidal flats into arable land and the reservoir.
The construction of the Saemangeum Seawall has caused controversy from the moment it was announced as environmental groups protested against the impact of the dyke on the local environment. Supreme Court
challenges in 1999 and 2005 led to temporary production stoppages but ultimately failed to stop construction of the seawall. Major construction was completed in April 2006, with the seawall 500 metres longer than the Afsluitdijk
in the IJsselmeer
, the Netherlands
, previously the longest seawall-dyke in the world.
With remaining minor construction and inspection finished, the Seawall was officially open to the public on 27 April 2010. Lee Myung Bak, the incumbent president of Korea
, has commented that Saemangeum would be "...the kernel and the gateway of South Korea's west coast industrial belt.", and is "another effort by us for low-carbon and green growth, along with the four-rivers project
". A ceremony was held in Saemangeum the same day, with cabinet officials
, politicians, and delegates from countries around the world.
Korean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
, is the world's longest man-made dyke, measuring 33 kilometres. It runs between two headlands, and separates the Yellow Sea
Yellow Sea
The Yellow Sea is the name given to the northern part of the East China Sea, which is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It is located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula. Its name comes from the sand particles from Gobi Desert sand storms that turn the surface of the water golden...
and the former Saemangeum
Saemangeum
Saemangeum is an estuarine tidal flat on the coast of the Yellow Sea in South Korea. It was dammed by the government of South Korea's Saemangeum Seawall Project, completed in April 2006, after a long fight between the government and environmental activists, and is scheduled to be converted into...
estuary.
Government of South Korea
The Government of South Korea is divided into executive, judicial, and legislative branches. The executive and judicial branches operate primarily at the national level, although various ministries in the executive branch also carry out local functions. Local governments are semi-autonomous, and...
announced that a dyke would be constructed to link two headlands just south of the South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n industrial port city of Gunsan
Gunsan
Gunsan is a city in North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is located on the south bank of the Geum River just upstream from its exit into the Yellow Sea. Gunsan is served by frequent railway service on the Gunsan Line from Iksan. It is also connected to the Seohaean Expressway.Kunsan Air Base...
, 270 kilometres southwest of Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, to create 400 square kilometres of farmland and a freshwater reservoir. Since then, the government has spent nearly 2 trillion won
South Korean won
The won is the currency of South Korea. A single won is divided into 100 jeon, the monetary subunit. The jeon is no longer used for everyday transactions, and appears only in foreign exchange rates...
on construction of the dyke, with another 220 billion won budgeted on strengthening the dyke and a further 1.31 trillion won to transform the tidal flats into arable land and the reservoir.
The construction of the Saemangeum Seawall has caused controversy from the moment it was announced as environmental groups protested against the impact of the dyke on the local environment. Supreme Court
Supreme Court of South Korea
The Supreme Court of Korea is the highest court in South Korea. It is located in Seoul.Articles 101-110 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea establish the Supreme Court and enumerates its powers and responsibilities.-Composition:...
challenges in 1999 and 2005 led to temporary production stoppages but ultimately failed to stop construction of the seawall. Major construction was completed in April 2006, with the seawall 500 metres longer than the Afsluitdijk
Afsluitdijk
The Afsluitdijk is a major causeway in the Netherlands, constructed between 1927 and 1933 and running from Den Oever on Wieringen in North Holland province, to the village of Zurich in Friesland province, over a length of and a width of 90 m, at an initial height of 7.25 m above sea-level.It is...
in the IJsselmeer
IJsselmeer
IJsselmeer is a shallow artificial lake of 1100 km² in the central Netherlands bordering the provinces of Flevoland, North Holland and Friesland, with an average depth of 5 to 6 m. The IJsselmeer is the largest lake in Western Europe....
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, previously the longest seawall-dyke in the world.
With remaining minor construction and inspection finished, the Seawall was officially open to the public on 27 April 2010. Lee Myung Bak, the incumbent president of Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, has commented that Saemangeum would be "...the kernel and the gateway of South Korea's west coast industrial belt.", and is "another effort by us for low-carbon and green growth, along with the four-rivers project
The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project
The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project of is the multi-purpose green growth project on the Han River , Nakdong River, Geum River and Yeongsan River in South Korea. The project was spearheaded by current South Korean president Lee Myung-bak and was declared complete on October 21, 2011...
". A ceremony was held in Saemangeum the same day, with cabinet officials
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
, politicians, and delegates from countries around the world.
See also
- SaemangeumSaemangeumSaemangeum is an estuarine tidal flat on the coast of the Yellow Sea in South Korea. It was dammed by the government of South Korea's Saemangeum Seawall Project, completed in April 2006, after a long fight between the government and environmental activists, and is scheduled to be converted into...
- Environment of South KoreaEnvironment of South KoreaThe environment of South Korea is the natural environment of the South Korean nation, which occupies the southern half of the Korean peninsula.-Flora and fauna:...
- The Four Major Rivers Restoration ProjectThe Four Major Rivers Restoration ProjectThe Four Major Rivers Restoration Project of is the multi-purpose green growth project on the Han River , Nakdong River, Geum River and Yeongsan River in South Korea. The project was spearheaded by current South Korean president Lee Myung-bak and was declared complete on October 21, 2011...