Korean Job Discussion Forums

kiwiduncan · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Location: New Zealand

It's incredible that Yeosu won the right to host the 2012 Expo due to their bid's 'green' theme. The team behind Yeosu's 2012 Expo say they will put global warming and other environmental issues on the centre stage. So far their plans seem to focus on:

1) Expanding their airport
2) A massive motorway extension
3) Leveling and rebuilding a large part of the city, with lots of new hotels, shopping centres and other facilities
4) Clear cutting a large forested area and leveling the hillside for a golf course.

I imagine they'll hang a few banners up saying "Let's Loving the Planet". They might even plant a few trees. But bascially, from what I can see of it so far it's going to be all superficial green marketing with very little substance behind it.

Yeosu has five years to make some serious improvements, and maybe they will make me eat my words, but in terms of winning the rights to host the Expo because their 'green' credentials, I don't think they deserve it.

normalcyispasse · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:08 am Post subject:

No, no, no. You're totally missing the point.

They're also putting in another train line.

kiwiduncan · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Location: New Zealand

I have to admit that the new train line, if it does result in less cars, is one good move which we should give them credit for. And I heard from one of the Yeosu KFEM (Korean Federation of Environmental Movements) organisers that a lot of the local civic and green groups are urging City Hall to turn one of the soon to be redundant railway lines into a cycleway and park.

But do you remember that large hillside across from where I first met you? They are likely to start leveling it in the new year to build the city's new golf course. A huge number of local groups are opposed to it, even some of the golfing community, but the city government seems set to press on with its plan. It's going to be an embarrassment to the city.

And on the subject of incredibly backwards, moronic 'developments' in Korea, I remember reading a couple of years ago about plans to build the world's biggest golf course at Saemangeum. Saemangeum was a huge estuary and wetland on the west coast of Korea. Now it's been completely destroyed and migrant birds from around the world have one less place to rest and feed.

http://www.golftoday.co.uk/news/yeartodate/news04/korea.html

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

So they expand an airport and motorway so more pollution causing cars and airplanes can come in, and then call it green?

What a crock.

wonkavision · Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Location: Seoul

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

You cynical, cynical people. If it's a slogan from the Korean government then it has to be true.
Pohang is a Green city.
Busan is the city of the Future.
Korea is Sparkling.

Yeosu will most definitely be a "Green" expo. Lots, and I mean LOTS of green fluro, bright lights and signage all over the place.

Following on with the "Green" theme,
The main thoroughfare will be renamed Green Expo Street.
The city park will be renamed Green Expo Park.
There will be a number of Norebangs, Hofs, and SojuBangs called Green Expo.

Anyway enough of that, events like this help put Korea in the spotlight. Green spotlight?

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

DRAMA OVERKILL · Joined: 12 Apr 2005

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

Now there you are putting words in people's mouths.

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Yeosu Rules!

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Wonder if that city has less trash on its streets than Seoul? There is hope. I was in Myeong Dong the other day and some young guy threw his gum wrapper on the ground. Hey, why not? No sense putting it in your pocket until you get to a trash can. Some old guy yelled at him to pick up his trash. There is at least one human in Korea that has a clue.

partialtone · Joined: 27 Nov 2007

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

If Korea wasn't beneath me, I'd sink into the ocean! Smile

kiwiduncan · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Location: New Zealand

This picture shows the site for Yeosu's new golf course, though it doesn't give an a real sense of how steep the hillside is. It's not the farmland in the foreground that's going to be destroyed, but rather the steep forested slopes in the background.

I can't believe what hypocritical wankers the politicians of Yeosu are. Seeing all their environmentally destructive plans for hosting the 'green' expo really makes me wish that the city would get its hosting rights cancelled.

Julius · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

Its amazing how they advertise new developments primarily as green healthy places to live. They show a big city with a few trees in the foreground to look nice and healthy. But to make that delopment they cut down a few thousand trees and concrete over whatever wild area was there.

Korea has one of the highest rates of SUV ownership, as well as no nature reserves or laws to protect wildlife or animals.
Oh well at least by hosting these big prestigious meetings they might get to learn about stuff. I mean, even in Thailand, the people hold protests if some natural bog or pond gets built over. And they're poor people! Koreans are rich.