2016 marks ten years after the final construction of the seawall that changed the face of the Saemangeum tidal flat, and took life from one of our world’s most important stopover locations for migratory shorebirds. Here is a compilation of news articles (English language) related to developments at Saemangeum during 2015:
January
Korea Agency for Saemangeum Development & Investment (KASDI) set out to attract investment from German companies
http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/english/news/industry/8665-attracting-investment-kasdi-holds-investment-briefing-german-companies
S. Korea offers $10M aid for giant seawall (Indonesia)
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/01/23/s-korea-offers-10m-aid-giant-seawall.html
February
The Korean government plans to develop business zones in Saemangeum and Iksan in North Jeolla targeted at Chinese food and fashion companies (Korea-China FTA)
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3001146&cloc=joongangdaily%7Chome%7Cnewslist1
‘China Valley’ in Korea to boost trade
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150226000904
March
Opposition leader urges gov’t to build int’l airport in southwest (to help attract investment and expand trade with China)
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150304000911
Saemangeum aims to be global hub
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2015/03/488_175120.html
April
Korea seeks to export Saemangeum knowhow to India
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2015/04/123_176596.html
Gov’t promotes foreign investment in Saemangeum project
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2015/04/116_176703.html
Relaxed Regulations – Private Investment in Saemangeum to Get Deregulation Boost
http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/english/news/politics/9999-relaxed-regulations-private-investment-saemangeum-get-deregulation-boost
Korea to Offer More Incentives to Foreign Investors at Saemangeum Complex
http://koreabizwire.com/korea-to-offer-more-incentives-to-foreign-investors-at-saemangeum-complex
Ecofriendly construction for Saemangeum project
“The construction of agricultural theme parks and arboretums is underway as part of ongoing efforts to secure infrastructure for ecotourism.”
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3002996&cloc=joongangdaily%7Chome%7Cnewslist1
SK Engineering & Construction accused of bid rigging
“The four companies affected [indicted] are SK Engineering and Construction (E&C), Daewoo Engineering and Construction, KOLON Global, and GumGwang.”
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2015/04/116_177335.html
Lawmakers who take benefits using their status
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2015042848368
May
Seawall In-Line Skating Marathon Opens in June in Saemangeum
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3004502&cloc=joongangdaily%7Chome%7Cnewslist1
Ahead of FTA, Korea woos investors from China
“Chinese companies are demanding the Korean government ease business licensing procedures and enhance legal systems related to land acquisition inside free economic zones, saying they want to invest in a greater variety of sectors beyond real estate.”
http://koreabizwire.com/seawall-in-line-skating-marathon-opens-in-june-in-saemangeum/35535
June
Saemangeum attracts big money
“A Chinese producer of solar power equipment will invest 300 billion won ($270 million) in building factories in the Saemangeum Free Economic Zone, which sits on reclaimed land off the west coast of Korea”
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3005240&cloc=joongangdaily%7Chome%7Cnewslist1
CNPV to Invest in and Develop Solar Cell & Module Plants in Korea
“The KASDI said five companies, including Japanese Toray Advanced Materials, Belgian Solvay and Korean OCI, have decided to invest 1.23 trillion won ($ 1.10 billion) collectively in Saemangeum.”
http://koreabizwire.com/cnpv-to-invest-in-and-develop-solar-cell-module-plants-in-korea/36479
No Fish in Saemangeum Lake as Pollution Levels Remain High
http://koreabizwire.com/no-fish-in-saemangeum-lake-as-pollution-levels-remain-high/36746
July
Visa issuance to be simplified for foreign investors in Saemangeum
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2015/07/15/0503000000AEN20150715007200315.html
S. Korea to remove barriers to investment in massive reclaimed area
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2015/07/28/0200000000AEN20150728008700315.html
October
Korea’s FEZs appeal to investors as gateway to China
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20151013001029
November
Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency (SDIA) signs 2 trillion won (US$1.7 billion) in Investment Contracts
“The consortium is planning to invest 1.5 trillion won in the Saemangeum Industrial Complex to build SNG production facilities with an annual capacity of approximately 1.4 billion Nm3 between next year and 2019”; “the consortium invests a total of 500 billion won between next year and 2022 in order to build marinas, hotels, resorts and water parks.”
http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/english/news/industry/12850-saemangeum-development-and-investment-agency-sdia-signs-2-trillion-won
December
South Korean company signs first letter of intent to explore deployment of Kemper technology
“Southern Company subsidiary Southern Generation Technologies has signed a letter of intent with South Korean company Alps Energy and Kellogg, Brown & Root, LLC (KBR) to evaluate the deployment of the company’s proprietary coal gasification technology”
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/south-korean-company-signs-first-letter-of-intent-to-explore-deployment-of-kemper-technology-300195757.html