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This is the third installment in a series of articles shedding light on Korea`s territorial policies - an integral part of the nation`s development strategy. Researchers from the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements, a state-run institute committed to studying means of enhancing the use of national territory, will deal with about two dozen themes related to formulating the territorial development strategy. - Ed.

By Lee Soon-ja and Yang Ha-baek

Geoeconomically, Korea is a gateway to Northeast Asia. In particular, the Saemangeum area on its southwestern coast is of special importance as it is located to play a central role as a gateway to the region. Saemangeum is a 401-square kilometer-wide plot of reclaimed land separated from the sea by the world`s-longest sea dike, at 33 kilometers. The area is about 60 percent the size of Singapore, 67 percent of Seoul, 3.7 times bigger than Paris and five times bigger than Manhattan.
The reclamation project began in 1989 under the Saemangeum Comprehensive Development Plan. After three years of preparation, the sea dike`s construction began in 1991. According to the original plan, 283 square kilometers of land, which is approximately 70 percent of the total area, was to be used for farming, with the remaining 118 square kilometers to be turned into a freshwater lake that would supply about 200 million cubic meters of water for the farms.
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However, following the contamination of the Shiwha Lake created by a similar reclamation project on the western coast in 1997, environmental and civic groups demanded that the Saemangeum project be stopped. They argued it would be difficult to meet the water quality target, that leaving the tidal flats in the Saemangeum area as they are would create more economic value than the massive reclamation plan and that the development scheme might have a negative effect on marine life since the embankment blocks the flow of sea water.
The government formed a joint investigation committee consisting of officials, civilian experts, plus environmental and civic groups for a comprehensive reexamination of the project. After 14 months of research, the panel identified problems and proposed countermeasures, but failed to reach a consensus on whether to proceed with the project or stop it.
Based on the report, in 2001 the government came up with a new, environmentally friendly development plan. The new blueprint called for the development of the Dongjin River zone first, since the river completely satisfied the legal water quality standards.
In opposition to the government`s decision, however, environmental and civic organizations and local residents filed a lawsuit against the prime minister and the minister of agriculture and forestry, seeking to pressure the government to withdraw the plan.
The tedious legal battle ended in 2006 when the Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit and raised the hand of the government as the victor.
After 14 years and five months of work, the Saemangeum sea dike was completed in 2008. Right after the lawsuit was concluded in 2006, the government unveiled an ambitious development plan for the Saemangeum area.
According to this plan, 202.5 square kilometers of land, or 72 percent of the total area, would be used as farmland, while the remaining 80.5 square kilometers, or 28 percent, would be developed for multifunctional purposes, including an industrial complex, a tourist resort, an energy park and an urban center.
The incumbent Lee Myung-bak government, inaugurated in February 2008, revised the 2006 plan to meet the rapidly changing domestic and global economic circumstances and turn Korea into a leading economic hub in Northeast Asia. At the end of October 2008, the government prepared yet another new proposal, dubbed the Amendment of the Vision for Saemangeum Land Use, putting more emphasis on multipurpose land use.
Based on the proposal, the Saemangeum Development Committee finalized the New Saemangeum Development Plan in July 2009.

The new Saemangeum plan

This plan has six major goals. First, it aims to turn the Saemangeum area into a hub in a new global economic system. By attracting foreign capital, manpower and technology, it expects Saemangeum to contribute to Korea`s competitiveness in international markets and help generate new growth engines for the economy.
Second, it aspires to create an Asian cultural and tourism services powerhouse in the area. By using local historical and cultural heritage, natural environs such as the Gogunsan archipelago, ecological resources on the west coast and facilities like the Saemangeum sea dike, it aims to attract a large number of Korean and foreign visitors.
Third, the plan seeks to develop Saemangeum into a leading low-carbon, green growth area. Adopting resource-recycling systems and a carbon-reduction method, it would serve as an example for green growth and future city development.
Fourth, it intends to develop Saemangeum in such a way that its current "clean" environment and ecosystem are maintained. For this, environmental and ecological zones will be established throughout the area.
Fifth, it aims to build Saemangeum`s image around the world as a premium global city through marketing and publicity activities.
Last but not least, the new plan hopes to produce a new model of executing large-scale state projects. In other words, it seeks to develop the Saemangeum area complete with infrastructure and institutions that would be recognized overseas.
To meet these goals, the government has suggested a development strategy for Saemangeum, which divides the reclaimed land into eight districts, considering national policies, local development, development potential and site suitability.
These districts have multifunctional capabilities, such as farming, manufacturing, tourism/leisure, international businesses, science and research, new and renewable energy production, dwellings and environmental and ecological protection.
Depending on the degree of development and its prospects, the new plan designates about 30 percent of the total reclaimed area for farming and about 70 percent for other functions.
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In detail, 85.7 square kilometers of the reclaimed land is to be allocated for farmland, 39 square kilometers for industrial complexes, 24.9 square kilometers for tourism and leisure, 20.3 square kilometers for new and renewable energy resources, five square kilometers for international businesses, 23 square kilometers for science and research, 14.6 square kilometers for residential site and 59.5 square kilometers for water quality and ecosystem conservation zones.
In addition, because the reclaimed land would be very large in area, but is not well equipped with infrastructure, the plan reserves 45.0 square kilometers, or 15.9 percent of the total land, for future demands. The reserved site will be used for farming until new land use is determined.
The zoning of the area was decided on the basis of the results of site suitability analyses that took into account accessibility, environmental and economic factors and the relationship with other areas under development, as well as various legal and technical restrictions.
As a result, the industrial complex site will be put in the northern part of Saemangeum in order to develop it in conjunction with the Gunjang National Industrial Complex. The tourism and leisure zone will be located in the southern part in view of its proximity with the Byeonsanbando National Park.
In addition, the international business zone - part of the industrial complex which is the foreign direct investment area - and the new and renewable energy site will be placed in the middle to serve as a new urban development axis. It will be ultimately connected to Jeonju and other cities near Saemangeum.
However, the government decided to put off the designation of a location for the science and research zone within the new and renewable energy site and an urban residential site until the master plan to create a "Premium Multi-City" in the core area is completed.
The most significant feature of this new plan is the government`s vision to create the "Premium Multi-City" in Saemangeum. For this, it has designated a "core strategic area" which includes the foreign direct investment zone, the international business zone and the tourism and leisure site. The government has been accepting professional advice on its development from experts.
The government will make a final decision after gathering enough opinions and reviewing the validity of designs.
The feasibility review of the development plan has been conducted in four fields: 1) environmental conditions and effects; 2) the volume of water usage and its supply source; 3) traffic volume and required transportation facilities; and 4) the volume, source and supply of sand and stone for engineering projects.
In environmental terms, the review concluded that the Dongjin River zone would meet national freshwater quality standards, while the Mankyeong River zone would require the installation of an additional chemical sewage processing facility at the Iksan and Jeonju sewage disposal sites. The review suggested that the water quality in the area bordering the sea dike would deteriorate.
Secondly, as for water supply, the review said that as much as 522,000 cubic meters of fresh water per day would be required for living and industrial activities and water can be supplied from the Yongdam Multipurpose Dam.
Thirdly, regarding transportation, the review expected that there would be no problems if the current construction plans for transportation facilities are carried out. To provide better conditions, however, it proposed two alternatives for urban transportation in Saemangeum: 1) a three-by-four grid and a cyclic highway network and 2) a radial and cyclic highway network. In addition, it included a plan to introduce state-of-the-art transportation systems, such as magnetic levitation trains so as to contribute to green growth.
Fourthly, in terms of engineering, the review estimated that about 600 million cubic meters of sand and stone would be needed for the project and the stable supply of sand or stone could be secured by dredging the port and sea areas of Gunsan Port.
Core strategic area

The Prime Minister`s Office, the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs are currently working together to draw up a master plan for construction of infrastructure, such as transportation and water supply facilities, based on the newest Saemangeum plan.
Under this plan, efforts will go into controlling water quality so Saemangeum`s unique status as a "City of Water" will be realized. In developing inner-Saemangeum, the green growth concept will be applied and in constructing buildings and facilities, low-carbon urban planning principles will be adopted.
To turn it into a logistics center of Northeast Asia, the construction of a new port will be prioritized.
As noted above, the most significant project in the new plan is the development of the core strategic area. It is hoped that Saemangeum`s core area will attract foreign direct investment.
Improving on the 2008 development plan, the new plan reflects global design trends and aims to develop the core area into a self-sufficient site.
The government proposed three design alternatives: 1) Sha-Ring City, 2) Full Moon City and 3) Floating Delta City. In order to select the best, it will evaluate the three options based on such criteria as suitability, economic and environmental viability. The government will make a final decision among the three alternatives around December and embark upon the development of the core strategic area from 2010.

Implementation plan

The first stage of the Saemangeum development plan was building the sea dike and turning reclaimed land into solid areas that could be used immediately. The next stage is the actual construction of the industrial complex site and the tourism and leisure site.
The reserved land would be used for farming until new land use is demanded. Additionally, the implementation plan includes a principle that a variety of measures for thorough environmental management should be adopted before development begins.
For the Saemangeum area to serve as a global free economic hub and attract foreign companies and capital, further deregulation and incentives are necessary. To achieve this goal, the implementation plan suggested a strategic principle, the so-called "3Ss" - super, simple and speed.
Administrative procedures must be reformed, focusing on the elimination of red tape to improve business conditions and to liberalize foreign exchange transactions. In addition, it is necessary to introduce incentives. These could include tax reductions; lease reductions; free education and health care for foreigners; financial support for employment, R&D and the introduction of new technologies; and the relocation of strategic industries.
According to the environmental management outlook, a chemical processing method will be introduced to process sewage and wastewater and measures will be taken to stop the inflow of sewage and wastewater altogether.
Also, the plan emphasizes eco-friendly development by creating swamps and water retention areas to purify pollutants in natural ways.
Together with this approach, the plan suggested establishing "buffer green zones" on riversides and minimizing fertilizer use by farmers. These measures will specifically manage pollutants from a variety of sources.
For waste disposal in the area, the foremost emphasis is placed on reducing waste production thoroughly and increasing the ratio of recycling.
In the long term, a system of waste management will be sought to introduce a natural circulation system. Such a system could even generate energy from the process.
Ultimately, the Saemangeum region will serve as a role model of green growth.