Dozens more endangered species spotted in demilitarized zone

By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Yonhap) -- Dozens of endangered species, almost extinct in the
rest of South Korea, were found to be inhabiting the demilitarized zone (DMZ)
separating the two Koreas, environment officials here said Thursday, as the
country seeks to turn the region into an ecological peace belt.
Eight near-extinct mammals including the small-eared cat, elk, and 24 endangered
birds such as the red-crowned crane were confirmed to be living in the mid-DMZ
area, about 88 kilometers north of Seoul, according to joint research by Seoul's
environment ministry and the National Institute of Environmental Research
conducted last month.
Occasional surveys of the heavily mined but almost completely untouched DMZ, a
248-kilometer-long and 4-kilometer-wide belt stretching from the east to west
coasts of the Korean peninsula, by local and international groups have proved it
to be an ecological treasure, with at least 70 different kinds of rare species of
fauna and flora completely protected from human harassment.
The DMZ was established between South and North Korea after the 1950-53 Korean
War, which ended in a truce. Except for some specially built hamlets, the entire
military controlled area of about 7,500 square kilometers contains ecological
features vastly different from the rest of the country.
"The area was also rich in unusual wetlands and forests, creating a perfect
living condition for rare foxes and deer," an environment ministry official said.
"There is a need for us to consider working on full restoration of the area for
species now believed extinct in South Korea."
The South Korean government announced last month that it plans to create a
world-class eco-tour and peace belt along the DMZ, and also seek to designate the
area as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, said ministry officials.
In addition, the government will push to build an international peace park within
the DMZ and lure the United Nations to build its peace conference center and a
U.N. peace college at the inter-Korean peace village of Panmunjom straddling the
two Koreas.
Environmental experts and activists claim, however, the Seoul government should
conduct sufficient field studies on the ecosystem of the DMZ and make thorough
preparations beforehand. The environmental treasures in the DMZ and its vicinity
could be ruined should the projects be pursued without caution, they say.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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