A Paradigm Shift
in Environment Movement

Rep. Je stresses a need for finding alternatives to the movement and
strengthening citizens'participation

In the past, the Korean environment had pushed ahead with projects forcefully, and environmental organizations had resisted its moves in the name of the people. Now, things should change, since the government has reflected environmental organizations'views, a lawmaker sitting on the parliamentary committee on environment and labor affairs says.
In an interview with NewsWorld, Rep. Je Jong-geel, vice chairman of Environment & Labor Committee of the National Assembly, says, "The Korean environment movement has done much in solving environmental issues, but there has been soul-searching on the movement's focus disclosing problems and the discussions about the trend and direction of the movement have been heating up. There is a need for finding alternatives to the movement and strengthening citizens'participation in the cause."Environment bodies had fought against issues like reckless development and pollution problems, but now they have to change their attitude, Rep. Je of the ruling Uri Party.
He noted that "they should have focused on public awareness since they are "ostracized"by regional residents for not giving considerations to economic development and their livelihood."Rep. Je has been as an environmental expert with a research institute located in his constituency in Ansan City, Gyeonggi Province. He has experience in roles like counseling on environmental affairs through exchanges of environmental organizations. The lawmaker once staged a struggle against the designation of a landfill site and succeeded in rescinding the project. As an academician, Je served a stint as a civilian joint investigation team on the Saemangeum reclamation project. He earned a PH. D. in biological oceanography from Seoul National University Graduate School.
The lawmaker said he has shown keen interest in the protection of the ecological aspects of the nature. Solutions for environment problems related to mega projects as the Saemangeum Reclamation Project, Sihwa Lake Project and Mt.
Cheonseong-san Tunnel Projects are not in sight, but what is more important is not allowing the projects to worsen environmental conditions, he said.
He expressed hope that the bill on the National Trust Act is likely to get approval during an extraordinary session of the parliament, to be convened in February. The proposed act calls on people to make contributions for preserving the nature and traditional culture and the enactment is designed to raise the public awareness toward the knowledge of the ecology and recognition of values that remain at lower levels, he said. Rep. Je said the government has so far been unprepared for taking steps against exposure of such hazards as organic substances, but the Environment Ministry has established a 10-year plan on the promotion of environmental health.
Concerning the so-called Eco-City Project, he said, a pilot Eco-City Project is planned in the Gapyeong area in Gyeonggi Province to promote sustainable development - giving considerations to the relevant district, people and preserving traditional house patterns and protection of the nature. The following are the excerpts of his interview.
Question: What's your assessment of Korea's environment movement and what are the views about the future direction of the movement?
Answer: The Korean environment movement has greatly contributed to solving environmental issues. However, there has been soul-searching on the movement's focus on the disclosure of problems and the discussions about the trend and direction of the movement have been heating up. There is a need for finding alternatives to the movement and strengthening citizens'participation in the cause.
Q: Will you explain the Environment Ministry's declaration of the year 2006 as the inaugural year of a "long-term policy plan on environmental health?
A: Environmental authorities have attached policy priority on the management of air pollution sources, but it has been discussed that environment policies should focus on such receptors as humans and nature.

Recognizing the existence of such problems, the ministry announced a 10-year comprehensive plan on environmental health, declaring this year as the first year of promoting environmental health. The plan calls for, among others, resetting environment standards based on the environmental impact on human health, establishment of the tentatively named Environment Health Research Center and seeking to enact a law governing the promotion of environmental health.
Q: Will you explain the legislation process of the proposed National Trust Act on cultural heritage and natural and environment assets and its contents?
A: Civic organizations have campaigned for the need for better purchasing and managing prominent nature and culture heritage in a bid to preserve them. The government is seeking legislation to monitor the National Trust Act to provide support for the private sector's campaign. Differences have arisen over such issues as the understanding of the concept and institutional systems, but the related bill is expected to be approved in the coming extraordinary parliamentary session as such conflicts have been successfully resolved recently.
Q: What's your assessment of the government's steps designed to tackle mandatory greenhouse gas emissions reductions and what steps does the parliament take to deal with such issues?
It is a mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent climate change. However, countries differ on implementation plans due to their interests. Korea concurs on the principles, but strategically strives to take a common stand by joining the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate involving six countries. I understand the government's position on the issue, but I see the need for making a cautious approach, judging that the domestic industry structure giving no environmental considerations and containing uncompetitive factors should be rectified.
Q: Would you comment on the government's environmental policies and do you see what should be complemented, if any?
A: The current administration's environment policies have made remarked strides in institutional aspects. It has taken such steps as the introduction of a strategic environment assessment system, a push for the promotion of environmental health and an expansion of the Total Maximum Daily Load Management System (TMDL) to all water resources across the nation and an enactment of the Act on the protection of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range. But a practical system of implementing environmental polices and authorities's determination is still insufficient. Korea cannot evolve into an environmentally advanced country unless all parties - the government, corporation and people- exert themselves to put into action policies with a serious awareness toward the environment.
Q: With regard to the participatory government's decentralization policies, do you see the possibility that preservation and development can be harmonized?
A: The government's decentralization should be a matter implemented over a period of time. Korea's regional autonomous bodies lack environmental consciousness and seem to show a lukewarm attitude toward rejecting the pressure of development. It is very important to keep the balance between environment preservation and economic development like the two wheels of a cart. Regional autonomous agencies in the lower echelons need to change their attitude into a forward-looking one, while the central government at the same time should apply the brakes and slow the projects down so they are reviewed in an appropriate manner. nw

Rep. Je inspecting the environmental effects by the controversial Sihwa Lake project

A forum on the protection of whales is in session. Rep. Je is a representative of the National Assembly Ocean Forum.

Rep. Je visiting a children's welfare center in a remote area

Rep. Je Jong-geel, vice chairman of Environment & Labor Committee of the National Assembly