Governor Won Hee-ryong has expressed regret for the environmental destruction caused by roadwork near (비자림) Bijarim Forest. He says the now-suspended work will resume, but only after a new plan is formed to minimize any more environmental problems. Mike Laidman reports.

The (비자림로) Bijarim-ro Road was once selected as the most beautiful road in all of Korea.

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Nearly 1,000 cedar trees cut down as part of roadwork

However, just under 1,000 cedars were cut within a week to expand the road, meaning about 500 meters of the striking tree line has disappeared.

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Civic groups decry loss of trees

The tree removal has sparked strong opposition from civic groups, and before Governor Won knew it, the issue had become a hot topic. The province therefore decided to stop the construction on August 10th.

Recording
Ahn Dong-woo / Vice governor
The province won’t resume construction before an alternative plan is found. We will proceed with a reasonable plan to minimize tree damage.
<씽크:안동우/제주특별자치도 정무부지사>
"비자림로 확포장 공사에 대해서는 대안이 마련될 때까지 공사를 재개하지 않겠습니다. 삼나무 훼손을 최소화해 종합적이고 합리적인 방안을 마련하겠습니다."

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Won expresses regret for environmental destruction

Right after returning from summer vacation, Governor Won Hee-ryong expressed his regret for the destruction of the trees near (비자림) Bijarim.



While on vacation, he was presented with a press release reporting on the road-widening construction.

Expansion of the road is something that has long been on the minds of many residents, and the governor emphasized that the province needs to better listen to public input on the matter.


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Won orders work proceed ‘in environmentally-friendly way’

The governor ordered the division which deals with local roads to come up with measures to make the road more eco-friendly.

The province’s original plan was to cut enough cedars to expand a 2.9- kilometer stretch of road by 2021.

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Province to draft revised plan over two months

The province will take two months to listen to the provincial council and other experts to revise its original plan.

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Kim Yong-min

Despite these best intentions, there have already been hundreds of trees cut, and it looks like whatever the new plan, more cutting is inevitable.

Mike Laidman, KCTV