[Bread-Baking Typewriter] The Era to Look Into the 'Heart of Jirisan'

The Heart of Jirisan
White Paper on the Cancellation of Jirisan Dam and the Jirisan Preservation Movement

Many people have forgotten. That a dam was almost built in Jirisan. Even without closely examining the construction plan, it is clear that if a dam were built in Jirisan, the ecosystem surrounding the mountain would collapse, cultural heritage would be lost, and those who make their living there could lose their homes. However, there was a logic of development that completely ignored this. Thus, in 1998, a plan to build a large-scale dam in Jirisan was openly announced. It took 20 years for the plan to be scrapped. The Heart of Jirisan densely records how the movement opposing the dam and striving to save Jirisan unfolded over these 20 years, the setbacks it faced, and the achievements it made.

This book is composed of 21 articles presenting different perspectives on the movement to cancel the Jirisan dam. Contributors include religious figures, artists, villagers, activists, scholars, and students. The discussion about the Jirisan dam began with improving the water quality of the Nakdong River, which supplies drinking water to residents of Busan and Gyeongnam. Instead of restoring the Nakdong River, the policy direction shifted to developing an alternative water source, leading to the plan to build the Jirisan dam. The logic was to develop the mountain to compensate for the polluted river’s lost function. So, what was expected to happen if a dam was built in Jirisan? Kim Jong-gwan, then a city council member of Namwon and co-chairman of the Namwon Countermeasure Committee to Cancel the Jirisan Dam, said, “The famous scenic spot Yongyudam located in Jirisan would be submerged, and due to climate changes, preservation issues would arise at the thousand-year-old temple Silsangsa, possibly requiring relocation.” He added, “Frequent fog and climate change would make it difficult to properly cultivate agricultural products, leading to a harsh reality.” Along with this, simple wishes such as “Let us live and be buried in our hometown” and “We want to protect the beautiful hometown filled with childhood memories” sustained the 20-year movement.

Because Jirisan is the spiritual mountain of the nation, a resting place, a refuge, a place of prayer, and practice, the movement began with special significance, but it did not remain confined to Jirisan. The writings in this book expand the scope as “stories of people who firmly protected their living spaces against unjust national policies that blocked the dream of a life-peace world where nature and humans, and humans and humans live harmoniously based on life, safety, and peace in Jirisan.” Yang Jae-seong, then pastor of Hamyang Jeil Church and chairman of the Open Solidarity Committee who loved Jirisan, wrote, “In terms of ecological diversity, Jirisan forms the largest cluster. Jirisan is not just a mountain; it represents the spirituality, spirit, and life values of the entire southern Korean Peninsula, and even suggests the worldview we should follow in the future.” The process was arduous, but the results shone. The movement to cancel the Jirisan dam ultimately changed the government’s dam and water resource policies. Many regard it as one of the few cases where local residents collectively responded to wrong decisions by the government or local authorities and achieved success. It is also called a “legend of grassroots democracy.”

Many people have now forgotten the “Jirisan dam.” However, this book emphasizes that even years after the cancellation of the Jirisan dam was declared, the movement to save Jirisan must still continue as an ongoing effort. There are still calls to build a mega drinking water dam in the Jirisan area. Above all, projects that excavate and pollute mountains and waters across the Korean Peninsula are openly proposed. It would not be surprising if a “second Jirisan dam” issue arises somewhere again. It is time to look again into the “Heart of Jirisan.”

(The Heart of Jirisan / Edited by the Jirisan Dam Cancellation Commemorative Project Committee (preparatory) / Sam-in / 25,000 KRW)

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