“The success of Saemangeum depends on how well good water quality is secured.”

Saemangeum Committee Chair Cho Nam-jo said at an invited lecture held at Jinsudang Paolo Hall at 2 p.m. on March 15 that the success of the Saemangeum project hinges on securing water quality.

At the lecture, attended by about 100 faculty, staff and students, Chair Cho outlined his personal philosophy and the significance of the Saemangeum project and discussed major Saemangeum initiatives in 2012.

He said, “As Saemangeum is to be developed as an ecological city, it is no exaggeration to say that its success depends on securing good water quality. If the environment is not adequate, an ecological environment cannot be established. Therefore, we are investing 2.9 trillion won, focusing on water quality improvement projects beginning at Iksan Wanggung and Gimje Yongji.”

He also said Saemangeum is planned as a multifaceted city in which an advanced West Coast agricultural economic complex, a tourism and leisure city, and a scientific research city will coexist.

He also discussed specific plans for this year’s Saemangeum projects.

He said, “This year, the Saemangeum project has begun construction of water-blocking embankments to close internal waterways and launched water quality countermeasure projects with investments of 494.5 billion won in government budget, 70.1 billion won in local funds, and 57.0 billion won in private investment, totaling 621.2 billion won. In addition, to boost tourism we plan to connect the Gogunsan Islands with a land bridge and to construct a new harbor breakwater for port development.”

Finally, he said, “As Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) is a university that has secured a campus in the Saemangeum area, many fields will advance into Saemangeum in the future. I hope JBNU will take a strong interest in and participate in Saemangeum, where agriculture, research institutes, international medical facilities, and tourism complexes will be established.”