By Lee Hyo-sik
The government rejected only one of every 100 construction and other development projects through an environment review system last year, data showed Sunday, drawing criticism that it puts higher priorities on construction at the expense of the environment.
Under the review system, the government examines whether or not development schemes are appropriate from the viewpoint of environment protection. Those seeking to develop agricultural and wilderness areas larger than 5,000 square meters are subject to the review.
The government has initiated most of the proposed development schemes such as the four-river refurbishment project, and has even allowed more houses and plants to be built on greenbelts across the country.
The Ministry of Environment, an administration branch created to protect the environment, has also made it easier for public and private enterprises to implement business projects over the past three years by applying lighter environment regulations.
In 2001, the ministry opposed 6.4 percent of all development projects initiated by state agencies and private firms, demanding developers either scrap the plan or revise them to be more environment-friendly.
But the objection rate has been falling over the past decade. In particular, at a faster pace since President Lee came into office in 2008. In 2008, the rate fell to 1.6 percent from 2.7 percent.
In 2010, it dropped further to 0.9 percent. The ministry said of the remaining 99.1 percent, it approved 93.1 percent, while turning down 6 percent for incomplete paperwork.
Additionally, the government has relaxed the environment impact assessment, which evaluates the impact on the environment while development is in progress.
The Korea Environment Institute (KEI), which carries out the assessment study, said 23 percent of development projects under review in 2009 should be revised to be more environmentally sustainable, down sharply from 36 percent in 2008, 42 percent in 2007 and 56 percent in 2006.
A KEI researcher said the stricter prior environment review system had over the years slashed projects that failed the impact assessment study. But he also said state and private developers continue to understate the negative environmental impact of their schemes to pass the reviews.
An environment study professor at a Seoul university, who declined to be named, said “It is important to ease a range of regulations to promote corporate activities and spur growth. But at the same time, the government should find ways to better screen environmentally-harmful business activities out.”