Campaign to save the Dong River. In January 1999 members of KFEM and local residents made a timber raft and floated it on the Han river to symbolise the traditional way of living in harmony with nature.

Cancellation of plan to construct Dong River Dam

The Sejong Cultural Center,where the celebration ceremony for World Environment Day was taking place,was overflowing with clapping and cheering sounds when President Kim Dae Jung announced the cancellation of the plan to build a dam on the Dong River at 10:20 on 5 June 2000.President Kim said,"the plan to build the Youngwol Dam is cancelled to protect endangered species and the ecosystem there."Korean cit- izens welcomed his decision.It was residents of Youngwol who started the fight to protect the beautiful nature and rare species in the area of the Dong River.As 33 representatives from various sectors spent 33 days and nights telling people how to fight to preserve the Dong River in the front yard of KFEM headquarters office in 1999,the movement expanded throughout Korea.More than 2,500 citizens from all over Korea visited the KFEM office where the campaign was carried out.Citizens donated more than 50 million won (about $41,667 US)to support this move- ment.The movement to save the Dong River grew beyond environmental groups to encompass religious groups,academic and social groups,and international environmental groups,like WorldWatch Institute,GreenPeace International,Sierra Club,and FOE International.The citizens who fought to save the Dong River and their descendants will always remember 5 June 2000,whenever they see the beautiful nature around the Dong River.


A 1997 demonstration on the West Sea over Taiwan¡¯s plans to transport nuclear waste to North Korea. Photo by Choi Ye yong, KFEM

Cancellation of Taiwans plan to transport nuclear waste to North Korea

A campaign against plans by Taiwan to transport nuclear waste to North Korea began in 1997,as soon as KFEM heard about the proposal.KFEM immediately organized organised for 11 executive activists and congress members to go to Taiwan and held a protest meeting. KFEM called for international action to stop the proposal and environmental NGOs from around the world strongly protested against it.KFEM led a "Nationwide Secretariat to Stop Transportation",formed with the support of 50 civic groups,which organised various activities such as petitions,an international symposium,and a rally in front of Taiwans representative office in Korea.With the active support of citizens and international organisations,Taiwan cancelled the project in December 1997.

In 1995 citizens of Incheon campaigned strongly against plans for a nuclear waste dump on Gulupdo. Photo by Choi Ye yong, KFEM

Cancellation of plan for a nuclear waste dump on Gulup Island

Gulup Island is the governments most recent failed attempt at construction of a nuclear waste disposal site.The campaign against construction of a nuclear waste dump site on Gulup island began in 1994,after it was disclosed to the public that the government had secretly begun work on the waste dump.Residents of the island,and environmental and community groups in the Incheon area immediately began a desperate campaign to stop the project.In the course of the campaign,one resident died and many executives of residents committees and KFEM activists were arrested.Once the campaign grew into a national protest,and once geological instability of the area became known,construction was cancelled.The Gulup island campaign is remembered as a landmark anti-nuclear campaign within Korea and internation- ally.


Street protest in 1997 by monks and residents against golf course construction on Mt. Kaya. Photo by Choi Ye yong, KFEM

Cancellation of the Haein golf course on Gaya Mountain

This campaign began in July,1996,when plans for a golf course in Gaya national park became known.The campaign against construction of the golf course was carried out in con- junction with the monks of Haein temple and residents.After legal action and a campaign in which one million people signed a petition against the proposed golf course,the National Park Authority rescinded approval for the project in January 2000.Efforts to preserve Gaya moun- tain and Haein temple had borne fruit.