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🇰🇷 South Korea /Environment & Climate

Gangwon Governor: Seoraksan cable car can proceed only if environmental fears are allayed

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Gangwon Province Governor Woo Sang-ho stated that while he cannot cancel the controversial Seoraksan cable car project approved under the previous administration, environmental concerns must be addressed.
  • Environmental groups are demanding a new feasibility study by an independent body, citing concerns over environmental destruction, construction safety, and escalating costs.
  • The project's cost has significantly increased from 46 billion won in 2015 to an estimated 137 billion won by 2029, with its cost-benefit ratio dropping below 1.

Gangwon Province Governor Woo Sang-ho has taken a conditional stance on the contentious Seoraksan National Park cable car project, stating he cannot revoke a permit issued under the previous administration but insisting that environmental concerns raised by activist groups must be resolved. The project, which aims to build a cable car in the Osaek area of Seoraksan, has been a focal point of debate.

We cannot cancel a project permitted under the previous administration; doing so would cause confusion. However, the environmental destruction concerns raised by environmental groups must be resolved.

— Woo Sang-hoGangwon Province Governor, explaining his stance on the Seoraksan cable car project.

Woo's transition committee had previously indicated a "positive review and promotion" of the project, sparking opposition from environmental organizations. These groups are demanding that the project's feasibility be reassessed by an independent external agency. In a conversation with The Hankyoreh, Governor Woo elaborated, "We cannot cancel a project permitted under the previous administration; doing so would cause confusion. However, the environmental destruction concerns raised by environmental groups must be resolved." He acknowledged that the current project operator, Yangyang County, is working to address these issues and suggested that if environmental groups accept the results, the project could proceed, though not quickly.

This project cannot be decided with an 'all or nothing' approach; it can only proceed if conditions are met.

— Woo Sang-hoGangwon Province Governor, emphasizing the conditional nature of his approval for the cable car project.

Regarding economic viability, Woo stated it's not the provincial governor's decision but Yangyang County's, as they bear most of the project costs. He reiterated his respect for the previous administration's permit while emphasizing the need to prevent environmental damage. "This project cannot be decided with an 'all or nothing' approach; it can only proceed if conditions are met," he added.

Woo is irresponsibly saying he will do only the minimum he can do.

— Jeong In-cheolHead of the situation room for the National Action Committee for the Protection of Seoraksan National Park, criticizing Governor Woo's position.

Environmental groups, however, view Woo's position as irresponsible. Jeong In-cheol, head of the situation room for the National Action Committee for the Protection of Seoraksan National Park, argued that Woo, belonging to the same political party as the former governor who initiated the project, has a clear continuity of responsibility. He pointed out that issues extend beyond environmental damage to include the safety of construction equipment and rising budgets. The total project cost has ballooned from 46 billion won in 2015 to 117.2 billion won in 2023, with projections reaching 137 billion won by 2029. Consequently, the cost-benefit ratio is expected to fall from 1.07 in 2023 to 0.94-0.96 by 2029, indicating that even over 30 years of operation, only about half the project costs would be recovered through operating profits. Furthermore, the initial design for construction cableways poses safety risks, necessitating a redesign and additional costs.

The total project cost has ballooned from 46 billion won in 2015 to 117.2 billion won in 2023, with projections reaching 137 billion won by 2029.

— The HankyorehReporting on the escalating costs of the Seoraksan cable car project.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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