Saemangeum
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| Saemangeum | |
|---|---|
| Hangul: |
새만금
|
| Hanja: |
새萬金
|
| Revised Romanization: | Saeman-geum |
| McCune-Reischauer: | Saeman'gŭm |
The Saemangeum was an estuarine tidal flat on the coast of the Yellow Sea in South Korea. It was dammed by the government of South Korea in April 2006, after a long fight between the government and environmental activists, and is scheduled to be converted into either agricultural or industrial land. Prior to 2006, it had played an important role as a habitat for migratory birds. The completion of this seawall is likely to be a major contributor to the decline of many species.
The Saemangeum lay at the mouths of the Dongjin and Mangyeong Rivers, on the coast of Jeollabuk-do. It is just south of the estuary of the Geum River. Neighboring districts include Gunsan City, Buan County, and Gimje City.
The project of filling in the estuary began in 1991, but was slowed by a series of court actions. The completed seawall is some 33 kilometers long, and replaces a coastline that was once more than 100 kilometers long. After the estuary has been completely filled, an area two-thirds the size of Singapore will have been added to the Korean peninsula.
The estuary was originally called "Mangeum" (萬金). This name was probably formed from combining the first character of "Mangyeong" and that of "Gimje." [1]
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[edit] References
Moores, N.; Battley, P.; Rogers, D.; Park M-N; Sung H-C; Van de Kam, J.; & Gosbell, K. (2006). Birds Korea - AWSG Saemangeum Shorebird Monitoring Program Report, 2006. Birds Korea publication: Busan.
