“In the service of democracy, peace and development” Our Work in 2020

A Peak Into HSF’s Environmental Work

HSF Korea supports the process of reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. In , this includes regional development, in which the border region (DMZ) is especially focused upon. In North Korea, HSF attempts to contribute to the peaceful development in the region through activities aiming for international integration and cooperation of the DPR Korea in the field of environment.

Bird Surveys in January and and emphasized to approach humbly and not expect a great breakthrough by one February action, but rather try to achieve many small-scale implementations. Along with the advancing development of the border areas to North Korea, the natural habitats of several species are Inter-Korean Forest Center in reducing rapidly. Thus, wetlands on the Paju westside of the , important resting places for ducks, geese and other Inter-Korean cooperation in the field of waterbirds, are disappearing. On that forestry is of great importance, as North note, HSF Korea visited Kanseo wetland, Korea's afforestation is a national Jungnangcheon estuary, Siam wetland, Environmental Restoration on priority on its project agenda and South and Goseong to observe rare bird species the Korean Peninsula Korea has had very similar experiences in on the Korean Peninsula. Dr. Seliger and this field in the past and can therefore Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi of the HSF Korea contribute to North Korea's success with conducted a field survey with Dr. Amaël Not only war, but also environmental important expertise and skills. With this Borzeé of the Nanjing Forestry destruction and pollution threaten in mind, the Center for Inter-Korean University. human life, and environmental pollution in North Korea will cause other pollution Forest Cooperation was launched in June in the neighboring countries. Therefore, near the inner-Korean border, operated Cranes as Messengers of Peace environmental cooperation among by the Korean Forest Service and countries is as important as security and supported by the Ministry of Unification. Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi joined the panel for an economic cooperation. Regarding this HSF Korea participated in the opening online seminar regarding cranes in the issue, a joint conference on the ceremony to celebrate the opening of the demilitarized zone held by the East environmental restoration on the Korean Inter-Korean Forest Cooperation Center. Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Peninsula and sustainable inter-Korean (EAAFP) and the International Crane cooperation was held by HSF Korea and Foundation. Other speakers were Dr. Institute of Peace Affairs (IPA), with Yunjeong Joo of National UniKorea Foundation’s sponsorship University, and Dr. Kisup Lee of under the 31st Korean Unification Forum. Waterbird Network Korea. Dr. Lee had a Tongil Hankuk Forum is a regular series presentation about the importance of the that brings together participants cranes in the Korean Demilitarized Zone interested in unification issues and (DMZ) – especially, wetlands and geopolitics in Northeast Asia. Dr. agriculture area in Cheorwon - gun for Bernhard Seliger, representative of HSF the red-crowned cranes and white- Korea, gave a speech on the sustainable napped cranes. inter-Korean environmental cooperation to approach humbly and not Biodiversity on Baekryeong Seliger participated in the forum as an development site to reduce any harm to Island invited speaker. He introduced HSF’s farmland. From and to this bank, a two- work and explained the basics of law lane road and small parks are to be built, legal practices in North Korea. He focused considering the water-friendly and Baekryeong Island is an island on the his report on environmental law, ecological environment. Furthermore, west side of South Korea in the Yellow addressing topics such as afforestation, within the framework of an agricultural Sea, close to Hwanghae-namdo in North pollution and the DPRK’s participation in science site, an eco-friendly high quality Korea. The island is known for its rich the Ramsar Convention to protect its modern agricultural industrial basis, as marine life. HSF Korea conducted a bird wetlands. Dr. Seliger also added well as an export-friendly basis, R&D and survey on Baekryeong Island with Birds information about wetlands, surveys in agricultural service support, farming Korea, the Korea Federation for the Rason Ramsar Site and HSF Korea’s village ecological tourism basis, bio-crop Environmental Movements (FFEM) and forest project. Lastly, he addressed the complex, and an agricultural city are Trevor Rose of Rose Design Services Ltd topic of inter-Korean law and planned to be built and installed during from the 17th to the 19th of January. cooperation, giving a short overview of the progress of the project. Ultimately, Participants of the survey were able to the history and past experiences before the surroundings of this area are built to observe a variety of endangered species, providing an outlook on which aspects function as an agricultural science site for such as a Greater Spotted Eagle, Horned can be improved. diverse convergence and a farming Grebes, Rustic Buntings and even a group village tourism complex. Yet, the of five Snow Geese. The representatives management of breakwater is also a of HSF Korea were also invited to attend major concern of the Saemangeum a meeting in Jinchon on the future of the Project, including the environmental region. All participants agreed on management of the Saemangeum area. working more to better combine ecological, cultural, historical and economic considerations for the future of Planting Trees in Goseong Baekryeong Island. In addition, HSF Korea accompanied Trevor Rose while he Border Area installed the first frog ladders in Baekryeong Island and Yeoncheon Taking care of nature preservation in the County as part of the Baekryeong inter-Korean border regions postulates Wetlands Project. Baekryeong ecosystem Ecotourism at Saemangeum in one of the major working fields of HSF Korea. A trip to the southern part of is not only an important habitat for Jeollabuk-do various bird species but amphibians as divided Goseong County was an well. Due to human interference with opportunity to check on the local nature, in this case through drains and The tourism pattern in South Korea has developments and contribute to the work gully pots, their natural habitats can changed and the demand for green done in the region. Because of an transform into deadly traps. tourism is increasing amidst the 2020 increasing number of more or less deep COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the need concrete trenches, built to drain the for new innovative project ideas. water from rice fields in the modern Jeollabuk-do Ecotourism Sustainable Korean agricultural landscape, many Center (JBESC) visited HSF Korea and reptiles and small mammals are not able proposed a future cooperation plan to migrate back and forth. Thus, in order named the Jeonbuk Saemangeum Green to save the frog population in Songjeong- Tourism Monitoring Plan. Following the Ri, frog ladders were built, consisting of meeting, HSF Korea and JBESC agreed to enkamat-wire that frogs can climb in hold an offline workshop to re-evaluate order to get out of the trenches. Members Saemangeum’s ecological value. After a of the HSF Korea along with Mr. Young month, HSF Korea, JBESC, local experts Choi, member of Seoul Korean Federation and the international amphibian expert, For Environmental Movement (KFEM), Professor Amaël Borzée from Nanjing Mr. Young-Kook Byun and Mr. Myeong-Gi Environmental Law in North Forestry University participated in a Lee from Goesong Country, Pastor Seok- workshop to observe the ecological Geun Chang, head of the environmental Korea transition of the agricultural areas in citizen group Sockcho, Yangyang, Saemangeum. Saemangeum Project Goseong KFEM, and frog expert Professor This year the 15th Unification Law Forum unfolds around a very complex plan for Amaël Borzée from Nanjing Forestry was held and organized by Korea the usage of the area. A Flood Control University joined and supported the Legislation Research Institute and Dr. Bank is built on the outer rim of the installation of the frog ladders. Bernhard development Sustainable Environmental Sector is established to share its Cooperation on the Korean knowledge and resources with North Peninsula Korea in order to enable debate and progress in the north of the Korean Peninsula. The Inter-Korean Centre for The 32nd Tongil Hankuk Forum was the Forest Cooperation will be established first time that the event had a focus on and located in Paju in , nature conservation as a platform for south of the demilitarized zone to make exchange and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, supporting trust-building and preparations for future comprehensive Birds Connect People Over the reconciliation process. The panels forest cooperation through the Korean Borders included Dong Wook Han, Head of Forest Service (KFS) easier. It will serve Research at PGA Wetland Research as a comprehensive platform for Center, Seung Oh Suh, Center Director of supporting inter-Korean cooperation in Suncheon Bay has one of the most the Ramsar Regional Center - East Asia, the field of forestry, such as intelligent spectacular views of all remaining South Kisup Lee, and Dr. Bernhard Seliger. tree nurseries and administrative Korean coastal wetland sites. HSF Korea Through emphasizing the importance of buildings. Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi attended a partnered up with a delegation of EAAFP coastal wetlands in the Korean Peninsula, workshop regarding this establishment and went on a trip to Suncheon. A forum the discussants examined proposals to to discuss the future direction of on potential inter-Korean cooperation bring inter-Korean cooperation and took place, also attended by Mr. Heo Seok, cooperation in the forest sector with preserve wetlands that are crucial for experts from non-governmental the major of Suncheon City and Mr. Seung biodiversity. Dr. Bernhard Seliger organizations, including the Korea -Oh Suh, Executive Director of the presented the conservation and wise use Sharing Movement and Forest for Life. Ramsar Regional Centre East Asia. Giving of wetlands in the DPRK and how an overview of the HSF’s work on training abroad and in the DPRK wetlands, Dr. Bernard Seliger also supported the environmental sector and mentioned the foundation’s project on lead to an improvement of skills and Preservation of the Hwaseong wetlands in North Korea. He introduced knowledge. the idea of a possible sister city-ship Wetlands between South Korean Suncheon and With four main types of wetlands, North Korean Sunchon based on consisting of rice fields, freshwater ecological cooperation and referred to past experiences of town twinning wetlands, a reclamation lake, and between East and West Germany. Related intertidal areas, the Hwaseong wetlands to the current situation, he pointed out are home to many different species on that birds always, even during a global top of being an important resting place pandemic, have close bonds to North for many waterbird species, among Korea and called for jointly working on whom many are endangered. To support the habitat protection of these birds in a the symposium’s purpose to spread this cooperative way. information, HSF Korea sponsored the 3rd international Symposium on Water Management and “Getting the Benefits of Hwaseong International Cooperation Wetlands Conservation” held in Inter-Korean Forest Cooperation Hwaseong. This year’s symposium for Center the Hwaseong wetlands was conducted Water is one of the most important with precise regard to their importance elements on earth. Along with K-Water Forestry makes a major contribution to and mutual benefit for people as well as (Korea Water Resources Corporation), the regeneration of the earth, especially nature. The necessity of the wetlands’ HSF Korea discussed topics such as water in the field of environmental protection. protection and conservation and its management, tidal power and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Dr. As reforestation has been a present topic benefits were stressed in the Bernhard Seliger visited the K-Water in South Korea for the last 60 years and symposium. Speakers including Dr. Nial headquarter to discuss the issues of has been implemented in the context of Moores, director of Birds Korea, cooperation in 2020 and actively continuous cooperation with worldwide highlighted the need to pursue the goals explored opportunities to be active on organizations, the Centre for Inter- anchored in the Ramsar Convention of the entire Korean Peninsula. Korean Cooperation in the Forestry 1971. Sector is e long-term cooperation. There were the context of the omnipresent problems comments on the topic of regional of climate change in North Korea under development and environmental the title "Climate change and biodiversity conservation in the Rason Special conservation measures in North Korea: Economic Zone as well. challenges and opportunities.“ The participants discussed key elements to be taken into account when planning and evaluating climate change adaptation projects. In terms of reforestation in North Korea, the problem of the lack of sustainable forestry and national forest areas results in annual natural disasters. Peace at the Han River Estuary Dr. Bernhard Seliger emphasized the need for a clean financial channel for July 27 of 2020 celebrates 67 years since international projects and the the Korean Armistice Agreement, the importance of creating closer relations armistice that brought about cessation of with North Korea. hostilities of the Korean War and established the 38th parallel as well as the demilitarized zone surrounding it. Biodiversity in Goseong Around this area lies the Han River Estuary, an ecologically important and politically neutral zone where the use is Goseong in Gangwon Province and HSF allowed for both Koreas. However, since Korea have been partners for the the use of Han River Estuary was sustainable development of the inner- restricted, Gimpo city has been Korean border area since 2005. Dr. organizing the boat survey as part of the Bernhard Seliger and Young-Soo Kim of peaceful use of Han River Estuary. HSF Korea had meetings in the Goseong Although this year's survey was County office to discuss the possibility to postponed due to weather conditions carry out a project to establish eco- and political issues, the city of Gimpo corridors particularly for amphibians, invited experts and organized the through “frog ladders”. They carried out roundtable to mark the historical day of several projects, like establishing an eco- the Korean Armistice Agreement and trail in Seongjongri, had numerous joint discuss the peaceful use of Han River seminars and workshops, and worked on Estuary. Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi attended the the establishment of a partnership with roundtable and discussed the direction Bayreuth county in Germany, in the for the sustainable and peaceful use of former inner-German border area. The the area. meeting also discussed the reforestation process in parts of Goseong which was hit hard by a forest fire last year. HSF Rason and SDGs Korea promised to support the afforestation of the land as part of its The Rason Special Economic Zone was project with Goseong this year. established in 1992 by North Korea’s government in order to promote economic growth through foreign Climate Change and Biodiversity investment. HSF Korea and Hananuri organized a joint online seminar on in North Korea Hanns Seidel Foundation Rason and Sustainable Development Korea Office Goals (SDGs) in North Korea. Dr. Consequences and challenges that Bernhard Seliger spoke about the Rason climate change poses for the 13 Hannamdaero 20-gil, Special Economic Zone in an online conservation of migratory birds and #401 (Sooyoung Bldg., Hannam-dong), seminar. He further discussed the topics wetlands are severe. In this regard, the Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea of Agriculture, Environment, and monthly virtual lunch talk of the Phone: +82 2 79 05 344 | +82 2 79 05 345 Development in Rason, but also independent evaluation unit (IEU), the Fax: +82 2 790 53 46 addressed some of the coming challenges Green Climate Fund (GCF), Dr. Watkins, e-mail: [email protected] in the area and possible problems of and Dr. Seliger, was about biodiversity in web: https://korea.hss.de/en/ long-term cooperation. There were the comments on the topic of regional