Yeosu City Transfers Beautiful Beaches and Natural Environment to Accommodation Businesses

Yeosu City Administration Remains Inactive Despite Criticism from Media and Yeosu City Council
Yeosu City and Mayor's Actions Compared to Neighboring Suncheon City Administration
Citizens Demand Stronger Yeosu City Administration, Saying "Enough Is

An illegally constructed cement road along the Dolsan coastline in Yeosu City remains unrestored to its original state. Additionally, the beautiful rocky formations along the Yeosu Dolsan coast are being obscured by newly constructed buildings, which are being managed solely as properties of lodging businesses.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] “It’s just too much. Covering the coastal rocks illegally with cement and illegally damaging Somisan Mountain, yet the only measure Yeosu City has taken is a slap-on-the-wrist restoration order. As a citizen of Yeosu, I feel not only ashamed but also suspicious of various issues,” said citizen A.

Central and local media have reported on the seriousness of environmental destruction in Dolsan, Yeosu City, and the Yeosu City Council has urged judicial authorities to file charges following the restoration order, but Yeosu City has been delaying the filing, remaining inactive.

This contrasts with the neighboring Suncheon City (Mayor Heo Seok), which held an on-site briefing the day before at illegal development sites near the Suncheonman Wetland salt farms and farmland, reporting on the damage caused by illegal activities, checking progress, and discussing countermeasures.

Mayor Heo Seok personally inspected the illegal activity sites and instructed related departments, saying, “Together with 280,000 Suncheon citizens, we have made great efforts to preserve Suncheonman, and we must firmly respond to illegal development activities to show that no illegal acts will be tolerated.” This stance is being compared to the approach shown by Yeosu Mayor Kwon Oh-bong regarding the Dolsan environmental destruction issue.

Similar criticisms are continuously emerging from the Yeosu City Council.

On the 10th, Lee Sang-woo, a member of the Yeosu City Council (Chairman Jeon Chang-gon), urged through a 10-minute speech regarding the illegal damage to Somisan Mountain in Dolsan, “Restore the mountain to its original state.”

He also compared with neighboring Suncheon City, saying, “Suncheon recently issued an immediate restoration order to the business owner for illegal reclamation within the Suncheonman ecosystem protection zone and filed charges with judicial authorities. Yeosu City must do the same.”

This photo shows a lodging facility newly constructed on the cliff of Dolsan Beach in Yeosu City, demonstrating Yeosu City's administration's approach that is far from preserving the natural environment.

The Dolsan beach in Yeosu City, visited directly by an Asia Economy reporter, is a beautiful picture where the blue sea meets the sky.

However, the resort that damaged the coastal rocks is operating successfully, the rocks are paved with cement paths, and various accommodation construction projects are underway nearby.

The coastal rock formations are hidden behind concrete structures, and the beach adjoining the blue sea has been effectively privatized by accommodation businesses.

This claim that Yeosu City’s administration has sold off the natural environmental heritage that should be passed down to future generations to accommodation businesses resonates closely with citizens.

According to Yeosu City ordinances, development is only allowed on slopes of 22 degrees or less, so the fact that building permits were granted for accommodations on coastal cliffs raises suspicion beyond mere surprise.

Even if the slope criteria for development activities were met, it is necessary to verify whether environmental impact assessments were properly conducted for the indiscriminate development permits and whether Yeosu City’s natural environment conservation policy standards are being upheld.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.