Beachside Bliss or Business Blitz: The Dark Side of Shared Sleeping Permits on Pristine White Sand Shores
- The East Coast of South Korea is known for its stunning natural beauty, with white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters.
- The Public Waters Management and Reclamation Act allows for the use of public waters for commercial purposes, but critics argue that this law is being interpreted too broadly,...
- Residents and tourists are concerned about the impact of these private buildings on the natural landscape and the coastal ecosystem.
The Disappearing Natural Landscape of the East Coast: A Concern for the Environment and the Community
The East Coast of South Korea is known for its stunning natural beauty, with white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. However, this picturesque landscape is under threat due to the proliferation of private buildings and structures on public waters. The local government’s indiscriminate use of discretion in granting permits for these buildings has led to the privatization of beaches, causing concerns among residents and tourists alike.
The Public Waters Management and Reclamation Act allows for the use of public waters for commercial purposes, but critics argue that this law is being interpreted too broadly, leading to the abuse of administrative authority. The permitted shared water surface area in Yangyang-gun has increased significantly over the years, with 57 soccer fields worth of space being allocated for private use in 2024 alone.
Residents and tourists are concerned about the impact of these private buildings on the natural landscape and the coastal ecosystem. Mr. Park, a resident of Hyeonbuk-myeon, Yangyang-gun, expressed his concerns, saying, “It is wrong and a privilege to grant permission for a specific person to use the sandy beach, which should be used by both citizens and tourists, as if it were private property.” Mr. Jang Yong-gi, a tourist, added, “After the summer season passes, nature needs time to recover, but I am worried that the coastal ecosystem will be destroyed because there are facilities operating on the sandy beach all year round.”
Experts emphasize that local governments should enact separate ordinances to manage shared water surfaces and minimize side effects. Professor Koh Sang-gyun of the Department of Architecture at Catholic Kwandong University said, “Local governments should manage white sand beaches and coastal landscapes by enacting ordinances and by understanding and approaching the public interest.”
In response to these concerns, a Yangyang County official stated, “We are disposing of permits for occupying and using shared water surfaces for their intended purposes in accordance with the law,” and added, “We are reviewing the action plan after the Board of Audit and Inspection’s audit, and are also preparing to enact our own ordinance related to shared water surfaces.”
