• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.467-483
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• 2007

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a kind of planning technique to seek ways to minimize environmental impact, a scheme to encourage sustainable development. With the launch of the Ministry of Environment in 1980, the EIA was introduced in Korea. Its full operation was initially driven by regulations on documenting EIA reports in 1981, which was piloted as a decision-making scheme where final decision were made at the development department after considering opinions suggested by the Ministry of Environment. At that time, dominance of the economic logic overwhelmed environ-friendly opinions, but thanks to the fourth revision of the Environmental Conservation Law in 1986, private projects came to be included on the EIA list. This was a turning point for the EIA to become a regulatory system. Local governments are also conducting the EIA regardless of the national-level EIA. In order to prevent and resolve increasingly severe environmental problems in Seoul in advance due to various construction projects, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, for the first time as a local government in Korea, legislated city decrees to introduce the EIA which has been underway from September 1, 2002. In particular, the Seoul government, unlike the Ministry of Environment, has included construction works on the list of evaluation projects, adopting the scoping and screen procedure scheme. In addition, complementing operational setbacks, the city government has revised and implemented decrees and enforcement laws on the Impact Assessment on Environment, Transportation and Disasters by shortening the consultation period, eliminating the submission of reports on construction, and expanding the waiver requirements in consultation over the reports. Therefore, development measures for the EIA scheme of the Seoul Metropolitan Government will be the target of the research. To that end, the up-to-date data of the Ministry of Environment, the Seoul government and local governments was collected, and latest materials from the EU, previous research and the Internet were gathered for analyses. By doing so, the flow of the EIA was reviewed, and the EIA schemes of local governments under the national EIA were analyzed. Furthermore, based on the Seoul government's recent data on the EIA based on the decrees, the background and legislation of the Seoul government's EIA were analyzed along with the developments for the environmental organizations. Setbacks were derived from the implementation period, evaluation procedures, consultation period and details of the EIA, and corresponding development measures were proposed.

• Journal of Wind Energy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2024

Offshore wind power generation has significant advantages, including enhanced energy security and job creation. However, despite these benefits, South Korea has not fully utilized its potential in this sector. In contrast, offshore wind power industry development in Europe has been driven by government leadership. Drawing from this experience, South Korea also needs to relax regulations, strengthen necessary infrastructure, and enhance financial support systems to activate the offshore wind power industry. For this, sustained government leadership is absolutely essential. Without addressing the capacity issues in the power grid, we cannot expect offshore wind power generation to succeed. To address grid issues, we propose the enactment of a special law called the "Special Act on Grid Expansion." Considering KEPCO's financial situation, private investment should be encouraged for grid construction. The role of developers is crucial for the successful development and operation of offshore wind power. They manage risks throughout various stages, from site acquisition to construction and operation, which have a significant impact on the success or failure of projects. Since domestic developers currently lack experience in offshore wind power, a cooperative strategy that leverages the experience and technology of advanced countries is necessary. Energy issues should be recognized as important tasks beyond mere political ideologies, as they are crucial for the survival of the nation and its development. It is essential to form a public consensus and implement ways for residents to coexist with offshore wind power, along with the conservation of marine ecosystems and effective communication with stakeholders. Expansion of the offshore wind power industry requires support in various areas, including financial and tax incentives, technology research investment, and workforce development. In particular, achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 necessitates the activation of offshore wind power alongside efforts by major corporations to transition to renewable energy. South Korea, surrounded by the sea, holds significant offshore wind power potential, and it is our responsibility to harness it as a sustainable energy source for future generations. To activate the offshore wind power market, we need to provide financial and tax support, develop infrastructure and research, and foster a skilled workforce. As major corporations transition to renewable energy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, offshore wind power must play a significant role. It is our responsibility to fully utilize South Korea's potential and make offshore wind power a new driver of growth.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2015

This study aims to figure out the vegetation status and characteristics of the spatial distribution in Taeanhaean National Park. As a result, vegetation communities were Pinus thunbergii community, Pinus densiflora community, Pinus thunbergii-Pinus densiflora community, Camellia japonica community, Carpinus turczaninowii community, Carpinus turczaninowii-Pinus thunbergii community, Kalopanax septemlobus community, Koelreuteria paniculata community, Robinia pseudoacacia community, and sand dune and coastal wetland vegetation including Vitex rotundifolia community, Elymus mollis community, Calamagrostis epigeios community, Ischaemum anthephoroides community, Zoysia sinica community, Suaeda maritima community, and Phragmites communis community. Landscape types in actual vegetation map were Pinus thunbergii community (3.92%), Pinus densiflora community (1.40%), Robinia pseudoacacia community (0.05%), sand dune and coastal wetland vegetation (0.11%), field (0.46%), seashore (0.24%), thinning area (0.08%), bareground (0.16%), and sea (93.58%). Area of Pinus thunbergii community among vegetation type was $14.797km^2$ (3.92%) and the largest. Stratification structure and species composition of Pinus thunbergii community distributed in the seashore were different as a result of disturbance and human use. On the other hand, we assumed that succession will take place to the potential natural vegetation that is Quercus serrata and Quercus dentata in undisturbed Pinus thunbergii community. Meanwhile, Erechtites hieracifolia was occupied in understory of Pinus thunbergii community around the seashore and Diodia teres was invaded to sand dune vegetation. They may affect on natural species negatively. Therefore, monitoring and management plans are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the range of distribution and vegetation structure of habitats of genus Cymbidium which is distributed in Jeju Island, Korea. This genus is distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia and North Australia. In Korea, there are six species [i. e. C. goeringii (Rchb. f.) Rchb. f., C. kanran Makino, C. lancifolium Blume var. aspdistrifolium (Fukuy.) S. S. Ying., C. macrorhizum Lindl., C. nagifolium Masam. and C. ensifolium L.], which were also distributed in Jeju Island. The habitats of this genus ranged between 16 meter and 574 meter above sea level in Jeju Island. C. macrorhizum had the broadest altitudinal range (16-574 meter above sea level), whereas C. ensifolium, C. nagifolium and C. lancifolium var. aspidistrifolium had the narrow altitudinal range. According to the classification analysis by TWINSPAN, the plant communities were divided into five groups of Castanopsis sieboldii community, Castanopsis sieboldii-Pinus thunbergii community, Pinus thunbergii-Quercus acutissima community, Pinus thunbergii community and Quercus glauca- Aphananthe aspera community. Three species, C. kanran, C. nagifolium, and C. ensifolium inhabited Castanopsis sieboldii community and C. lancifolium var. aspdistrifolium inhabited Castanopsis sieboldii-Pinus thunbergii community. C. macrorhizum inhabited Pinus thunbergii community, Pinus thunbergii-Quercus acutissima community and Quercus glauca-Aphananthe aspera community. C. goeringii inhabitated Castanopsis sieboldii-Pinus thunbergii community and Pinus thunbergii-Quercus acutissima community. The populations of the genus Cymbidium have been extremely decreased due to illegal collection in Jeju Island. Especially, the distribution range of C. kanran, C. nagifolium, and C. ensifolium was narrow and limited to evergreen broad-leaved forests, therefore, conservation plans are needed for the protection of these species.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2021

Two specimens (1770~1850 mm disc width) of Mobula thurstoni, belonging to the family Myliobatidae, order Myliobatiformes, were first collected from the central coast of the Southern Sea of Korea in September 2018. This species is characterized by an anterior margin of disc with double curvature, a white-tipped dorsal fin, and the absence of a caudal spine. This species is morphologically similar to Mobula kuhlii, but has an anterior margin of pectoral fins with a double curvature and the dorsal coloration is bluish black rather than white. In addition, M. thurstoni was well distinguished from M. kuhlii as determined by mitochondrial DNA 16S rRNA sequences with genetic distances ranging from 0.030 to 0.069. The Korean name 'Mae-kkeun-kko-li-jwi-ga-o-li' is proposed for the species M. thurstoni.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.461-471
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• 2016

This study was conducted to establish an in vitro propagation system for sea-milkwort (Glaux maritima L.), which is an endangered coastal plant species with high horticultural value. Two phenotypes, 'Red type (RT)' and 'Pistachio type (PT)' based on the colors of stem and flower, were obtained from a personal horticulturist in 2009 and used for this study as plant materials. The stock plants showed typical morphologies in flower, capsule, and seed appearances as previously reported. Low temperature treatment at $4^{\circ}C$ for four or more weeks after in vitro sowing maximized seed germination percentage, indicating that imbibition of seed and subsequent low temperature treatment are crucial for its germination. The in vitro seedlings had phenotypic variation, falling into 'RT' and 'PT' classes like the stock plants. Although slight differences depending on genotype and medium were recognized, the fourth or fifth nodes detached from the in vitro seedlings revealed the best multiplication efficacy when estimated on the basis of total number of nodes of newly developed axillary shoots. In addition, the nodes from 'RT' and 'PT' regenerated the most shoots on medium supplemented with $0.5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BA alone and $0.5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BA plus $0.5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ IAA, respectively. The node culture-derived plantlets were well acclimatized in a culture room ex vitro and completed the pseudo-annual life cycle coincident with that in the natural salt march habitat with the current cultivation method of applying fresh water-irrigation under an inland environment. This work represents the first report of in vitro propagation of sea-milkwort. Thus, our study will contribute to exo-habitat conservation and natural habitat restoration of this endangered species in addition to development of a horticultural product.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.80-95
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to establish an effective protection and management system for World Heritage (WH) nomination of Southwestern Coast Tidal Flat (SCTF) by proposing a model of protection and management. SCTF has a potential to become a representative best practice to achieve a sustainable development for human society. SCTF has a potential Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs) for WH nomination, thus a harmony between human and nature for wise use of natural resources needs to be pursued. It is required to present the system of SCTF's protection and management and to analyze present status of the regions in the Tentative List by comparing the case which were already inscribed as WH. For better protection of nominated areas, SCTF should expand an area for protection with additional designation. For the management system, two separate management systems such as the Department of Culture & Tourism and the Department of Oceans & Fisheries need to be reconciled. Because of this overlapping management structure, the management of the nominated sites has been inefficient and long-term management plan is lacking. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate conflicting management system of each local government and make a long-term, integrated management plan. To make an efficient and sustainable protection and management, it is essential to set up a collaboration system by integrating various stakeholders such as central and local governments, academic organizations, local residents, and NGOs. As in the case of Wadden Sea, the combined community system of the stakeholders mentioned above should be established. Because it is essential for local residents to understand a basic concepts for protection and management, it is necessary to establish capacity-building of local people. The protection and management structure should be set up by bottom-up processes, that is the proper structure shoud be based on thorough research on local society as well as thorough communication with local residents to make relevant laws and policies. This study also propose the proper plan for better conservation and management of SCTF.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.158-172
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• 2022

The distribution of seabirds was investigated in 24-34 major coastal wetlands in Korea from 2015 to 2019. During the study period, seven orders, 16 families, and 111 species were observed, and the largest number of species (51-89 species) was recorded in 2018. 92,821-265,783 individuals per year were observed with the largest number in 2018. The largest number of species (55-72 species) was observed in the southern sites of Jeollado, and the largest number of individuals (annual average of 62,542 individuals) was found in Chungcheong regions. The largest number of seabird species (68 species) was observed at the Suncheon Bay site in 2016, and the largest number of individuals (95,399 individuals) was observed at Biin and Jangan sites in 2018. In terms of the habitat type of seabirds, at the family level, shorebirds appeared most frequently with an average of 38%, followed by waterfowl, wading birds, seabirds, and raptors. With regard to legally protected species, eight protected marine species, 19 endangered wildlife species (Level I: six species, Level II: 13 species), and twelve natural monument species were observed. Overall, there was a significant difference in the number of species and individuals of seabirds in the Korean coastal wetlands during the research period. This suggests the importance of conducting systematic and continuous seabird surveys and developing a conservation policy considering habitat characteristics.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.162-174
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• 2014

An abnormal decrease in ozonesonde sensor signal occurred during air-pollution study campaigns in November 2011 and March 2012 in Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA). Sharp drops in sensor signal around 5 km above sea level and above were observed in November 2011, and a reduction of signal over a broad range of altitude was observed in the convective boundary layer in March 2012. Circumstantial evidence indicated that $SO_2$ gas interfered with the electrochemical concentration cell (ECC) ozone sensors in the ozonesonde and that this interference was the cause of the reduced sensor signal output. The sharp drops in November 2011 were attributed to the $SO_2$ plume from Popocat$\acute{e}$petl volcano southeast of MCMA. Experiments on the response of the ECC sensor to representative atmospheric trace gases showed that only $SO_2$ could cause the observed abrupt drops in sensor signal. The vertical profile of the plume reproduced by a Lagrangian particle diffusion simulation supported this finding. A near-ground reduction in the sensor signal in March 2012 was attributed to an $SO_2$ plume from the Tula industrial complex north-west of MCMA. Before and at the time of ozonesonde launch, intermittent high $SO_2$ concentrations were recorded at ground-level monitoring stations north of MCMA. The difference between the $O_3$ concentration measured by the ozonesonde and that recorded by a UV-based $O_3$ monitor was consistent with the $SO_2$ concentration recorded by a UV-based monitor on the ground. The vertical profiles of the plumes estimated by Lagrangian particle diffusion simulation agreed fairly well with the observed profile. Statistical analysis of the wind field in MCMA revealed that the effect Popocat$\acute{e}$petl was most likely to have occurred from June to October, whereas the effect of the industries north of MCMA, including the Tula complex, was predicted to occur throughout the year.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2011

Any significant inflow of fresh water due to flood or snow melting can rapidly reduce salinity at the bay. In such a case, the habitat environment in the sea near river mouth can be partly destroyed. Therefore, research to understand the salinity distribution quantitatively at the bay for the utilization of natural environment and for the inhabitant conservation must be very important. In this study, the investigation on the relationship between satellite image and turbidity is carried out first, and then the salinity distribution at the bay using the relationship between turbidity and salinity is derived. The main results are as follows. First the reappearance ability of RGB bands respectively of the satellite image is investigated, and then it was confirmed that the combination of band2 and band3 expressed best the movement characteristics of turbid water at the bay is chopped up into 4 small areas. Second the turbidity of river mouth is estimated using the travel time from the upward monitoring station to the river mouth. Finally the satellite image is converted into the salinity distribution by the correlation of salinity and turbidity. It is confirmed that the salinity distributions obtained from above three investigation methods are quite reasonable and clear.