The Jeonbuk Environmental Movement Union argued on the 4th, through a commentary titled 'What We Hope for President Lee Jae-myung,' that the Saemangeum area, which has long been trapped in development controversies and landfill-centered construction projects, should now embark on a 'fresh start' focusing on ecological restoration and energy transition.

In the commentary released on that day, the Jeonbuk Environmental Movement Union emphasized the need to "now depart from the outdated landfill-centered development paradigm and establish a sustainable Saemangeum model based on natural resources, with seawater circulation and tidal power generation as the pillars."

The union stated, "Seawater circulation is the law of nature and a historical necessity for ecological restoration," adding, "It is urgent to move away from the outdated construction projects that relied on landfill tactics and shift towards an eco-friendly transformation centered on tidal power generation for the reconstruction of the fisheries industry and ecological restoration."

Tidal power generation is a method of generating electricity using the flow of seawater, which can be crucial for Saemangeum to leap as a carbon-neutral hub, as it can produce electricity without emitting greenhouse gases.

The commentary evaluated Saemangeum as a region with the potential to produce 7GW of renewable energy, equivalent to the scale of seven nuclear power plants, due to its abundant sunlight, wind, and water resources, stating that it is an optimal location for establishing an eco-friendly industrial complex based on RE100 (100% renewable energy).

President Lee Jae-myung proposed 'expanding seawater circulation in Saemangeum and building tidal power plants' as a presidential campaign promise, presenting a differentiated concept from the existing landfill-centered Saemangeum policy.

The Jeonbuk Environmental Movement Union emphasized that the change in administration marks an opportunity to redesign Saemangeum as a "strategic hub for South Korea's carbon-neutral national strategy."

The statement highlighted, "The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue but a matter of national survival, and energy transition is a core task of civilization transition," adding, "Saemangeum must stand at the forefront."

The union stated, "Transitioning from the concentration of the capital region and maintaining vested interests to regional balanced development and an energy decentralized structure is the sustainable future of South Korea," emphasizing that "now is the golden time for a fresh start in Saemangeum."

In particular, they mentioned, "We must move beyond the outdated system centered on vested interests together with the citizens of the square, towards a green transition and the realization of climate justice," and added, "If the Lee Jae-myung government walks this path with us, we will be strong allies."