Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Canuckophile]

Folks,
See below for petition letter regarding the CANAL PROJECT that would be environmentally devastating to Korea's animal and plant life (and not so hot for the people living along the canal either).

Dunno if you have been following this in the news. Korea's new Prez (Lee Myung Bak - nicknamed "the Bulldozer") wants to build a canal from Seoul to Pusan, which requires a massive construction project that would cost a fortune (but enrich a few) and link rivers that are ecologically distinct.

And of course, the purpose is to ship goods through Korea rather than around the peninsula, so it's a situation rife with opportunities for oil spills, overbuilding, contamination/ general pollution, and almost certainly destruction of a large chunk of Korea's remaining wetlands.

I belong to Korea's largest enviro group, Korea Federation for Environmental Movement, and they are hoping some foreigners will join them in opposing Prez Lee's plan. (Most of Korea opposes it - there have been several editorials in the Korea Herald.)

Here is the letter they suggest you send. THE DEADLINE IS 5 MARCH to return it to KFEM so they can forward en masse to the Blue House.

Obviously edit as you wish, if there are issues you think are more/less important ( a lot of this is "for the birds," because Korea is destroying wetlands so fast that Korea's historic role as "flyby" for migrating birds is gonna end pretty fast, and with it, the lives of tens of thousands of birds that range from Australia to the Arctic)

Thanks.
CANUCKOPHILE

PS You can also email [email protected] if you have questions. I know he would appreciate it also if you forward this to any other lists you know. The letter itself (below) should be emailed to:
wetland@kfem. or.kr

Dear Honorable President Lee Myung-bak,

I am writing you to express my deep and sincere concern about your proposed Great Korea Canal Project.

I strongly urge you to cancel your plan to construct a series of canals in order to link the four largest river systems in South Korea. South Korea has the opportunity to lead East Asia in environmental sustainability. Instead, your proposed Great Korea Canal Project will show the world that your administration is not committed to preserving the environment for future generations.

Also, South Korea is not only a signatory to the UN Ramsar Convention for wetlands of International Importance, but will also host the next Conference of Parties of the Ramsar Convention in late October. Given the internationally important wetlands that would be destroyed by your proposed canal project, South Korea will be subject to international pressure to uphold and respect the Ramsar Convention and Convention on Biological Diversity, and give up this wasteful project.


Time Magazine chose you as an environmental hero in November 2007. Your proposed Great Korea Canal Project makes it seem as if Time Magazine made a mistake. I would like to ask you to show the world your new leadership in environmental protection as an environmental hero by canceling the canal project.

Sincerely yours,
Your Name
Organization
Country

[Milwaukiedave]

Great idea Canuckophile and I totally agree with you. I'll fire my letter off this evening to the email address. I just worry that Lee won't listen even listen to Koreans, much less foreigners. Personally I have a strange feeling he's going to push this "pet project" through regardless of public opinion.

I understand there was a protest in Seoul. I wish I'd been able to go.

One of the things I've suggested is small pins that say something like, "No Grand Canal" in Korean that foreigners can wear. In my opinion, this will get Koreans talking and thinking about it more then they are currrently.

I know of a few foreigners where I work that would wear them. If I can get my hands on a dozen or so, I'll donate some money toward the cost.

I also think there should be some coordination between Koreans and foreigners, so that those foreigners who wish to be involved can. My understanding is there are groups of Koreans already protesting the canal project and I'd really like to seen foreigners involved as well.

Kiwiduncan is someone you should contact if you haven't already

[Milwaukiedave]

Also, please fix the space in the second email address, it should read:

[email protected]

[sundubuman]

apparently, the canal is still on the books..

http://yangpa.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/president-elect-lee-announces-luxury-canal/

[Canuckophile]

That link was a great little spoof - Chanel, eh? - am sending it to Korean friends. Thanks
CANUCKOPHILE
PS thanks for catching the extra space for the email link to KFEM.