Yearslong research on (곶자왈) Gotjawal forests has been completed, and results are being briefed to residents of areas that contain the forests.
65.5 percent of the forests are private properties and the provincial office and area residents are at odds on compensation for limited property rights.
Mike Laidman reports.

Jeju’s unique (곶자왈) Gotjawal forests are a peculiar kind of natural forest that grows only on the rocky terrain left over from cooled, hardened lava.
And one of the island’s most precious resources, fresh underground water, runs through these forests, which also provide a habitat to many distinctive plants and animals.

[Slug] Survey on Gotjawal complete, 99.5㎢ recognized as Gotjawal

The province launched research into the Gotjawal forests in 2015, and has newly defined them as ‘forests that sit on lava beds created through volcanic eruption.‘
Based on this new definition, seven tracts of land across the island, together covering 99.5 square kilometers, have been recognized as Gotjawal.

[Slug] Gotjawal newly defined, some lava terrain newly recognized

Some previously recognized regions have been left out, and some lava-covered terrain has been added.
As a result, the total area covered by the new definition has decreased by 6.5 square kilometers, down from 106 square kilometers.

[Slug] Residents given presentation on results

The research team gave a presentation on the six-year long survey to residents.
The presentation included the reasons for adjusting the total area of the Gotjawal forests and for adding the newly-recognized locations.

Recording
Kim Cheon-gyu / Korea Research Inst. for Human Settlements
Based on the research done on UNESCO's Geopark, the boundary lines for the Gotjawal forests have been redrawn. Stricter preservation standards to better protect plant and animal life have been suggested.
<씽크:김천규/국토연구원>
"지질공원 실태조사를 실시했고 이를 바탕으로 곶자왈 분포지역에 대한 경계를 설정했습니다. 곶자왈 경계 내에 식생에 대한 보존가치를 높게 줘서 보존기준을 설정해서 제시했습니다."

[Slug] Property rights have become controversial issue

Researchers have now found that 65.5% of the forest is privately owned, and now the provincial office and area residents are at odds on exercising the right of ownership.

[Slug] Residents ask for compensation for limited property rights

Residents have asked for realistic compensation given that their property rights are limited through their designation as Gotjawal reservation land.

Recording
Park Seong-gu / Resident, Hangyeong-myeon
There has been no explanation given on how much this new designation might hurt our properties, nor how to convince residents of the changes.
<씽크:박성구 한경면 주민>
"만약 보호지역으로 지정되면 주민들이 볼 피해는 어느 정도 수준이며 어떻게 설득시킬 것인가에 대한 설명이 전혀 없었고.."

Recording
Gam Pyeong-gil / Resident, Hangyeong-myeon
Can a suit be filed for infringement of property rights? If our land is recognized as a reservation area, our right of ownership will be greatly limited for decades at the least.
<씽크:감평길 한경면 주민>
"보호지역으로 지정되면 제한이 강화될 것인데 만약 토지주들이 수십 년 간의 재산권 침해에 대한 소를 제기할 수 있는 사항입니까?"

[Slug] Laws don’t limit land use in Gotjawal

The province explained that current laws don’t limit land use, therefore the designation will not infringe on anyone’s property rights.

Recording
Kim Si-wan / Representative, Province
Laws don’t stipulate a ban on constructing buildings or changing land purposes in reservation areas. The designation will therefore not limit land use for the present.
<씽크:김시완 제주도 환경정책과장>
"건축을 하지 말아야 된다. 토지 형질 변경을 하지 말아야 된다는 내용이 없기 때문에 보호지역으로 지정돼도 당장 곶자왈 조례로 행위 제한을 할 수 없다는 말씀을 드립니다."

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Ko Moon-su

Following the presentation in (한경면) Hangyeong-myeon, the province is briefing the results of its Gotjawal survey at seven other locations across Jeju, including (애월) Aewol and (구좌) Gujwa.
Landowners are expected to continue expressing concern over potentially limited property rights at these briefings, as well.

Mike Laidman, KCTV