Hello.
This is KYU HAN KIM from Nami Island. How are you?
We know that you care and think about Nami Island, even though you live far away from here.
We are always very grateful for that. I am emailing you because our island is facing a big crisis.
Recently in Korea, government developers have been making plans to construct the 2nd Gyeongchun Highway, connecting Seoul and Chuncheon. The project involves building a bridge across Bukhan River and over Nami Island, located between the two docks.
Since you know so much about the island, I think you know what will happen to the island if this planned project is completed. The ships to Nami Island, which carry three million passengers a year, and the island’s numerous leisure sport boats will have to precariously pass between the columns of the bridge in order to reach the island. When thick, wet fog blankets the island, there is an ever greater risk of collision, and the bridge will only heighten this risk.
In addition, hundreds of different types of birds, officially designated natural monuments, live on the island. If the bridge is built, they will no longer be able to live on the island due to the light and noise emitted night and day by cars on the bridge. The bridge will destroy the beautiful natural landscape of the island as well.
Korean news media have reported this problem, and local residents have raised their voices against the construction. However, the construction project is led by the government and more attention is being given to the fight between the local Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do governments for rights and benefits associated with the bridge than to the problem of the bridge itself. Currently, the bridge is still scheduled for completion, even amid great concerns by many people.
Therefore, we’ve decided to ask for your help. Please help us in stopping this great wrong.
We would like to ask you to use any network you know of to share this problem and have it reported by your local media. Your help can really be a big support to us. If the problems associated with the bridge are recognized and reported by overseas media, I think that it will cause the Korean government to reconsider the project. Please, help us protect Namiseom Island. I am sending attachments of press releases and photos. I entreat you to try to have this problem reported using the attached materials. If it is reported in your country, please send me the link to the report so that I can easily find it. I would greatly appreciate it.
Please show your love for our island, and help protect the beautiful natural environment of Nami Island. Thank you for reading my long email and for your continued encouragement and support.
Your friend,
KYU HAN from Nami Island