전북환경운동연합 “새만금위원회는 과거 회귀…전면 재편하라”

Jeonbuk Environmental Movement Union: "Saemangeum Committee is a Regressive Step, Complete Restructuring Needed"

On the 27th, the Jeonbuk Environmental Movement Union issued a statement strongly condemning the composition of the 9th Saemangeum Committee announced by the government and called for a complete restructuring of the committee.

The union criticized the current composition of the committee as a direct contradiction to President Moon Jae-in's promise of a "new start for Saemangeum." The President had defined the long-standing delay in the Saemangeum project as a form of "torture of hope" and pledged to move away from civil engineering-centered development towards continuous seawater circulation, ecological restoration, and transitioning to a carbon-neutral hub based on RE100.

However, the organization stated, "The composition of the 9th Saemangeum Committee is a regression to the past that undermines the President's determination," and pointed out that it is "another deception to the Jeonbuk residents who have longed for a sustainable Saemangeum."

In particular, the reappointment of Kim Hong-guk, the chairman of Harim Group, as co-chairman was strongly criticized. The Jeonbuk Environmental Movement Union claimed that "Chairman Kim has ignored demands for dialogue with civil society and fishermen during his previous term, and has only dealt with matters through written deliberations without face-to-face meetings," asserting that he is a symbol of inefficiency and opaque administration.

Moreover, with Harim Group owning major domestic shipping company Pan Ocean and actively promoting Saemangeum as a core project for developing Sinhang Port and a smart logistics hub, the organization emphasized that "having a chairman who decides on the project being a potential beneficiary of the conglomerate's head clearly indicates a conflict of interest."

The Jeonbuk Environmental Movement Union proposed measures for Saemangeum governance innovation, including the introduction of a private sector-recommended committee system where more than 40% of the members are recommended by local governments, local councils, and civic organizations, and mandatory participation of local residents and fishermen. They also suggested institutionalizing joint public-private working groups for pre-negotiation on contentious issues such as seawater circulation and land allocation, mandatory face-to-face meetings at least four times a year, real-time public access to meetings, and full disclosure of meeting records and minutes.

The organization warned, "If the committee, filled with conglomerate chairmen and revolving-door experts, deteriorates into a behemoth that devours the President's reform will, Saemangeum will once again face 30 years of 'hope torture'," and urged the government to immediately restructure the committee and for co-chairman Kim Hong-guk to resign.

On the same day, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who is the chairman of the 9th Saemangeum Committee, appointed 15 civilian members to the committee.

Among the newly appointed members, there are a total of 11 individuals including Kwak Ji-hye, Director of the Solar Energy Research Division at the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, Kwon Bong-oh, a professor at the National University of Gunsan, Kim Ji-hyun, Director of Business Planning at the Korea Food Cluster Promotion Institute, Kim Chang-gil, Visiting Scholar at the Asia Research Institute of Seoul National University, Bae Han-sol, CEO of Viva Nature Co., Baek Ki-tae, a professor at Jeonbuk University, Lee Jae-hyuk, a research fellow at the Korea Environment Institute, Lee Chang-won, Director of the Entrepreneurship Support Team at Woosuk University, Im Mi-hwa, a professor at Jeonju University, Im Da-yeon, a professor at the National Maritime University of Mokpo, and Cho Yong-hyun, a professor at Sejong University.

Among the 8th committee members, four individuals were reappointed, including Lee Sang-ho, Vice President of Yoochang E&C, Lee Seung-woo, Chairman of the Saemangeum New Renewable Energy Forum, Kim Hyun-ah, Director of the Fiscal Research Division at the Korea Institute of Public Finance, and Choi Jung-hyun, a professor at Ewha Womans University.

? Summary:
Jeonbuk Environmental Movement Union strongly criticized the composition of the 9th Saemangeum Committee announced by the government, calling for a complete restructuring. They highlighted concerns about conflicts of interest, lack of transparency, and inefficiency in the committee's current setup.

?️ Natural Korean Translation:
전북환경운동연합은 정부가 발표한 제9차 새만금위원회 구성을 맹비난하며 전면적인 재구성을 요구했습니다. 현재 위원회 구성에 대한 이해관계 충돌, 투명성 부족, 효율성 문제를 강조했습니다.

❓ Comprehension Questions:
1. What were the main criticisms of the Jeonbuk Environmental Movement Union regarding the 9th Saemangeum Committee?
전북환경운동연합이 제9차 새만금위원회에 대해 어떤 주요 비판을 했나요?
2. What did the organization propose as measures for Saemangeum governance innovation?
조직이 새만금 지배구조 혁신을 위해 제안한 조치는 무엇인가요?
3. Who are some of the newly appointed members of the 9th Saemangeum Committee?
제9차 새만금위원회에 새롭게 선임된 일부 회원들은 누구인가요?

? Vocabulary Learning:
1. composition / 구성 / noun
- The way in which something is put together or arranged.
- 그것이 어떻게 조립되거나 배열되었는지에 대한 방법.
- The composition of the team was carefully planned to ensure diversity.
- 팀의 구성은 다양성을 보장하기 위해 신중하게 계획되었습니다.
2. regression / 회귀 / noun
- The act of returning to a previous state or condition.
- 이전 상태나 상태로 돌아가는 행위.
- The regression in his behavior concerned his family.
- 그의 행동의 회귀는 가족을 걱정시켰다.
3. transparent / 투명한 / adjective
- Allowing light to pass through so that objects can be clearly seen.
- 빛이 통과하여 물체가 명확하게 보이도록 하는.
- The company promised to be transparent about their financial decisions.
- 회사는 재정 결정에 대해 투명하게 하겠다고 약속했습니다.
4. inefficiency / 비효율성 / noun
- Lack of ability to accomplish a task with minimal time and effort.
- 최소한의 시간과 노력으로 작업을 수행할 능력의 부족.
- The inefficiency of the system led to delays in project completion.
- 시스템의 비효율성으로 인해 프로젝트 완료가 지연되었습니다.
5. conflict of interest / 이해관계 충돌 / noun
- A situation in which a person's personal interests may conflict with their professional obligations.
- 개인의 이해와 전문적 의무가 충돌할 수 있는 상황.
- The company's decision raised concerns about a conflict of interest with their major shareholder.
- 회사의 결정은 대주주와의 이해관계 충돌에 대한 우려를 제기했습니다.

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