{"id":2204660,"date":"2024-04-15T17:13:46","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T08:13:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2204660"},"modified":"2024-04-16T13:41:23","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T04:41:23","slug":"in-south-korea-residents-fight-to-preserve-nature-from-encroaching-golf-courses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/04\/in-south-korea-residents-fight-to-preserve-nature-from-encroaching-golf-courses\/","title":{"rendered":"In South Korea, residents fight to preserve nature from encroaching golf courses"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cAll of this will be leveled to the ground for the golf course,\u201d Hong Chong-gwan, who runs an organic blueberry farm on the foot of a mountain in Naebang-3-ri, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Residents of Naebang-3-ri, a tranquil village just an hour\u2019s drive from Seoul, are fighting against the development of a new golf course that threatens to destroy the untouched nature they cherish, jeopardize their water resources and diminish their quality of life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite South Korea\u2019s land surface being roughly the size of Iceland or the U.S. state of Indiana, the country boasts more than 545 golf courses, according to <\/span>data<\/span><\/a> from the National Institute of Environmental Research.<\/span><\/p>\n

These golf courses could cover 83% of Seoul, a city of more than 9 million, and nearly 30% of Jeju, South Korea\u2019s largest island, highlighting the immense popularity of golf in the nation.<\/span><\/p>\n

RESIDENTS BLINDSIDED<\/b><\/p>\n

Plans for <\/span>Shinhansung Country Club<\/span><\/a>\u2019s 27-hole golf course, spanning almost 500 acres (2 million square meters), first emerged in 2020, resident Ju Ae-ran told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>. Shinhansung, owned by <\/span>Hansung Country Club<\/span><\/a>, already operates another similarly sized golf course south of Seoul.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were completely taken by surprise,\u201d Ju said, alleging that the village head \u201cand a few others\u201d had agreed to the plan without consulting all the residents. In response, the community formed an emergency committee to address the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

The proposed golf course is slated to be built on land currently <\/span>designated<\/span><\/a> as a drinking water reservoir for Seoul. However, the residents\u2019 emergency committee claims that Shinhansung has successfully lobbied Namyangju City Hall, the governing municipality of Naebang-3-ri village, to change the land\u2019s legal status despite its importance as a water resource.<\/span><\/p>\n

Residents also accuse the company of illegally cutting down trees on some of the mountains in the village in preparation for the construction of the golf course.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The valley where golf course developer Shinsunghan intends to clear the trees, a habitat for otters, martens, Siberian flying squirrels, windhovers, Korean salamanders, Korean brown frogs, crabfish and stoneflies, for a new 27-hole golf course | Image: Korea Pro<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

The mountainous forest with a diverse range of trees, plant species and a river stream is a rare piece of untouched nature near Seoul. Naebang-3-ri, the village adjacent to the mountain, shows no signs of the nearby bustling metropolis. Fireflies illuminate the forest at night, an increasingly uncommon sight in densely populated South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Resident Hong also worries about soil pollution from fertilizers and pesticides that the golf course will likely use to maintain the grounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His concerns are not unfounded, as South Korean government researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Research have <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a> that the country lacks sufficient regulations on pesticide use at golf courses.<\/span><\/p>\n

The researchers note that the only official guideline available is a set of safety instructions for handling pesticides, which \u201cfails to address pest control and the management of the quantity of pesticides used on the golf course.\u201d They also note that \u201cguidelines or manuals related to reducing pesticide consumption on golf courses\u201d are lacking in South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Members of the Naebang-3-ri emergency committee worry about the fate of their village | Image: Korea Pro<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

POLITICAL APATHY<\/b><\/p>\n

Won Dong-il, a Catholic priest who joins the residents at their bimonthly protest against the golf course in front of Namyangju City Hall, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that South Korea lacks adequate environmental laws and that existing regulations are insufficient.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the priest said he struggles to find political support for the residents\u2019 fight against the golf course. He told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that both the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party support the rapid construction of new golf courses.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNeither side seems to really care about ecological issues; they\u2019re more focused on development,\u201d Won said. \u201cThat\u2019s the reality of our country. Only the Green Justice Party truly cares about environmental issues, but the party isn\u2019t popular at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In the aftermath of <\/span>last week\u2019s general elections<\/span><\/a>, all six Green Justice Party lawmakers were voted out of office. Starting in May, the party will be unrepresented in the National Assembly for the first time in two decades.<\/span><\/p>\n

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On a rainy spring day, flowers bloom in the forest where residents fear a new golf course will be developed | Image: Korea Pro<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

NATIONWIDE MOVEMENT<\/b><\/p>\n

Naebang-3-ri is not alone in protesting the construction of new golf courses. Across South Korea, small groups of concerned residents are fighting against the powerful golf industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

A quick online search revealed that locals in Seoul, South Jeolla Province, North Chungcheong Province and <\/span>South Chungcheon Province<\/span><\/a> are also protesting the development of golf courses in natural and residential areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some have succeeded, such as in Goyang, a city near Seoul, where residents <\/span>blocked<\/span><\/a> the expansion of an existing golf course after protesting construction plans for a decade.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, for most, the battle is an uphill struggle as the number of golf courses in South Korea continues to grow. According to <\/span>Leisure Sinmun<\/span><\/i><\/a> newspaper, a local golf outlet, 10 new golf courses will open in 2024 alone. <\/span>R&A<\/span><\/a>, one of the two global governing bodies of golf, ranks South Korea as the third-largest golf market worldwide, behind only the U.S. and Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n

To cater to golfers\u2019 demands, the Yoon administration <\/span>announced<\/span><\/a> plans to promote the construction of 30 new golf courses by 2027 by easing restrictions posed by laws designed to preserve mountains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lim Seungyup, a professor of sports sociology at Korea University, attributed the sport\u2019s popularity in the country to South Korea\u2019s early adoption of screen golf, an indoor golf simulator.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Lim also pointed to a more complex social explanation at the core of South Koreans\u2019 affinity for golf.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSouth Koreans have what I like to term a \u2018poor country complex.\u2019 They like to play golf because the sport has long been associated with the wealthy. As soon as Koreans acquire even a bit of financial independence, many pursue golf because they wish to appear affluent or to show that they are no longer commoners. It\u2019s a way to display their social status.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t