Earth is full of valuable environments that provide homes for many different species. South Korea has a diverse array of forests, wetlands, tidal flats, and more. Yet the South Korean government is leading development without sufficient consideration of the consequences and not setting clear guidelines for sustainable development and long-term preservation. As a result, these delicate places are getting smaller in number every day. 

A case of indiscriminate development causing damage to protected environments is regarding ‘Bijarim’, the largest forest of Japanese Nutmeg trees (among other species like Japanese cedar trees) located on the eastern coast of the Jeju Island. Japanese Nutmeg is a species that was designated by the IUCN as of “Least Concern,” but still requiring protection.

This year, the Jeju government and some of the islanders decided to cut down 2,400 of the trees for building and expanding roads and parking lots that actually may not be used frequently since it was mainly built in consideration of a possible airport nearby that may not be built. This garnered much attention from the media, many people of which believed that the government did not seem to have considered less extreme alternatives. 

Although the government later clarified that the actual Japanese Nutmeg trees won’t be cut down, the fact is that 2,400 Japanese cedar trees (which make up the “Most Beautiful Road in South Korea” as designated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport in 2002) could be cut down. Surely there would be better options than destroying this valuable environment!

Additionally, a poll of the citizens of Jeju on the Bijarim showed that around 60% of the people were against the development of the Bijarim due to the environmental damage it would cause. However, as of November 16th, the representatives of Jeju announced their determination to continue with the expansion and development project.

Therefore, I believe that how the South Korean society can better protect these places from unsustainable development. To do so, the government must find the balance between preservation and development through methods such as strong regulations for designations of environments as protected areas. Also, more awareness raised about this topic would help garner more attention from the public and involve more citizens in the process.