Environmental issues were a significant part of the governor’s reelection campaign pledges. Won Hee-ryong touted plans to limit large developments and better preserve and manage Hallasan Mountain. Here’s Joseph Kim to explain why cooperation is key to following through on those promises.
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Ora Tourism Complex: Jeju’s largest development project

5 trillion won will be poured into the (오라) Ora Tourism Complex development project.

That's the island's biggest development project ever.

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92% of project land classified as protected

According to the criteria of the province's planned development limitation system, 92 percent of the land at the (오라) Ora Tourism Complex is classified as class 1 or 2 protected areas.

Islanders argue that the province should not approve the development project because the project goes against the island's principle of protecting mid-mountainous areas.

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‘No legal basis to limit development’

However, the province says the development limitation system cannot be applied yet because a legal basis has not yet been established for the system.

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Governor promised new system to limit development

Governor Won Heeryong promised the development limitation system to be in place as the top election pledge in the environment sector.

For the limitation system, land will be reclassified from class 1 to 5 and different levels of guidelines on development will be enforced.

Class 1 and 2 land is restricted from development.

The revision bill of the Jeju Special Act that includes the legal basis for the development limitation system has been submitted to the National Assembly. Now Won needs to convince Seoul of the revision.

INTERVIEW
Lee Yeong-woong / Korean Federation for Environmental Movements (Jeju)
The new administration's environmental policies should be implemented based on the province's strong will.
<인터뷰:이영웅/제주환경운동연합 사무국장>
"새로운 도정이 출범하면 환경공약들이 제주도의 강력한 실천의지를 기반으로 해서 진행돼야 제주 환경이 제대로 보전되지 않을까 생각합니다."

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Governor also promised stricter regulation of Hallasan Mountain visits

An increase in admission fees to Hallasan Mountain and the introduction of a reservation system are also among Won’s significant election pledges.

Feasibility study results on increased admission fees and a reservation system will be released in August. Researchers are expected to suggest reasonable admission and a sustainable number of trekkers allowed per day.

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Won must work with lawmakers to keep promises

For the changes to be made, ordinances need to be revised, which needs support from the National Assembly.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

Especially, among the unresolved issues, the seaside greenbelt and the building height limits, both of which are closely related to property rights of residents are what the Won administration has to solve.

Joseph Kim, KCTV