Gangwon Province, Pyeong Chang County, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and Pyeong Chang 2018 Legacy Foundation organized the 2021 Pyeongchang Peace Forum (PPF, https://online.ppf.or.kr/home/eng/ppf/main/main.do), which was held in Pyeongchang Alpensia Convention Center from 7th to 9th February. Under the theme “Action Plan: Peace New Deal,” diverse topics of various sessions which discussed new strategies and countermeasures to draw a sustainable future of peace were held during the three valuable days (More information of 2020 Peace Forum – https://www.eaaflyway.net/ecology-and-peace-pyeongchang-peace-forum-2020/) . Although the Forum was held online due to an ongoing pandemic, the online accessibility enabled more national and international engagement in the peace discussion.
The forum focused primarily on five main clusters: “Economy and Peace”, “Sports and Peace”, “DMZ Peace Zone”, “UN SDGs and Peace”, and “Public Diplomacy and Peace.” Each cluster included diverse dialogues that brought together Korean and international speakers to discuss the way to move toward peace in these respective fields.
Especially within the “DMZ Peace Zone” cluster, which explored the rightful approach of DMZ to creating permanent governance and ways to develop joint peace tourism zone in South and North Gangwon province, a session hosted by Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea Office (HSF Korea) was held on 8th February titled “The Possibility of Eco-peace Tourism in the South & North Gangwon Province Through Birdwatching”. Dr. Bernhard Seliger from HSF Korea moderate the session with 4 speakers: Mr. Doug Watkins, Chief Executive of East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Secretariat, Dr. Donguk Han, Director of ECO KOREA and PGAI (Wetland Ecology Institute), Mr. Jongseok Park, CEO of Jeollabuk-do Ecotourism Sustainable Center (JBESC), and Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi, senior researcher at HSF Korea joined the session.
©Vivian Fu/EAAFP
Mr. Doug Watkins ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP
Mr. Watkins started with his presentation “Migratory Waterbirds Linking Local Communities.” He gave an overview of the EAAFP and the Flyway Site Network, introduced Kumya Migratory Bird Reserve (https://www.eaaflyway.net/dprk/), a Flyway Network Site located in DPR Korea. He then raised elements to be considered regarding planning, implementing and managing ecotourism. He also emphasized the need to develop local measurements to benefit the conservation of birds and the habitats in the province in the future.
Dr. Dongwook Han ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP
Dr. Dong Wook Han’s introduced the importance of transboundary estuary and maritime border areas with his presentation “How to promote ecological cooperation between DPR Korea and RO Korea – Focusing on the transboundary estuary and Joint utilization of maritime border areas on the east and west coasts.” He emphasized the need for joint development and utilization of the border areas, and taking local communities into account. He also suggested the need of marine zone protection in the coastline of East Sea.
Mr. Jong Seok Park ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP
The following presentation was made by Mr. Jong Seok Park. He first introduced the role of Jeollabuk-do Ecotourism Sustainable Center and the definition of ecotourism, which pursue tourism with sustainable development and environmental conservation. He suggested the geographic and ecological connectivity in Gangwon Province is potential for ecotourism in RO Korea and DPR Korea. Moreover, he added that utilization of Universities within Gangwon Province – youth engagement – should receive more attention. As a province with significant future competitiveness, he claimed that more community actions and private movement is needed for further development.
Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP
The final presenter, Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi from HSF Korea, presented “Possibility of Ecotourism in North and South Gangwon Province Based on Bird Observation.” She introduced the work of HSF Korea, then talked about past survey on land and sea birds in Goseong County, Gangwon Province since 2015, with 36 wintering seabird species recorded. Suggesting a possibility of bird watching-based ecotourism, she claimed it is not subject to sanctions of DPRK Korea and is expected to produce a positive outcome.
Dr. Seliger ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP
Moderated by Dr. Seliger, a Q & A session was held after the four valuable presentations. Mr. Watkins answered a question about the possibility of ecotourism in DPR Korea and Bird Influenza (AI), saying “Ecotourism is more than just watching birds, it is a way to bring people to understand DPR Korea and introduce communities of DPR Korea,” and that “Cases of a human caught AI mainly happen in poultry. AI will be prevented with rightful hygiene measure.” Regarding the question on East and West Sea research and marine pollution, Dr. Han encouraged joint research on the East and West Coast of Korea would be helpful and necessary on an international level. “international collaboration is an important means to influence government policies,” Dr. Jong Seok Park replied regarding the government’s engagement of ecotourism. And to expand the community engagement on ecotourism, Dr. Hyun Ah Choi stated that forums like this should often take place.
Watch the full video of the session, click here.
Also check HSF Korea’s article on the event, click here.
