By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The government has decided to campaign for the national arboretum, or Gwangleung arboretum, in Gyeonggi Province to be put on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) world cultural and natural heritage list.
The Korea Forest Service announced Wednesday that it will campaign to promote the 22.3-million-square-meter forest near Uijeongbu, Namyangju and Pocheon in Gyeonggi Province.
The forest was first designated as a graveyard by King Sejo of the Joseon Kingdom in 1468 and has been preserved as a natural forest for the past 500 years. It is one of the most favored places for nature lovers in the country.
According to the office the place is worth preserving as it is home to internationally rare hornbeams and various forest creatures.
However surrounding areas have been developed by constructors and developers aiming to build large industrial complexes and entertainment facilities. The area has gradually filled with motels over the last few years, and there is also an apartment complex construction plan being established.
The largest obstacle to the campaign is the opposition of residents, who are asking for further development to draw economic benefits to the region. A UNESCO listing could quite possibly halt all existing construction plans, Choi Kwan-mook of the office said.
The project was proposed many years ago, but the locals' rejections _ whose approval is mandatory for the enrollment _ has halted the work, he added.
The office established a preservation body of experts, residents and civic groups to take advisory roles on future projects. It also aims to suggest alternative benefits for the residents should enrollment take place.