2002
Newsletter
The Forum's Declaration
"Transforming the Korean DMZ into
a World Peace Park for Humanity, Research and Biodiversity"
North and South Korea have a unique opportunity to contribute to
world science, culture, health and peace while beginning to return
the Korean peninsula to its heritage and self-image of "Keum-Su-Gang-San"
("land of embroidered rivers and mountains").
The DMZ between the two Koreas--2.4 by 155 miles--has been untouched
by humans for nearly half a century, following its devastation during
war. Nature's recovery has provided a sanctuary for native plants
and animals--a laboratory for advancing scientific understanding
of natural processes and for educating the world. Species of plants
and animals left in the DMZ could successfully re-establish those
that have been eliminated in both North and South in the rush to
improve living standards. The world has now learned the importance
of biodiversity for the health of humans. This small area is instrumental
to preserving several rare cranes, bears and perhaps leopards and
Siberian tigers as well as native plants and other animals.
Building a Peace Park together, the two Koreas can rebuild common
traditions and consider a common future. Scientific exploration,
sustainable development and eco-tourism could profitably replace
costly and dangerous military confrontation.
This vision can be achieved if:
Both governments publicly state as their goal the preservation
of the DMZ as a park for many purposes, including human enjoyment,
scientific study and replenishing species.
Environmental scientists from both countries meet with their counterparts
from other countries:
to determine areas of the DMZ most important to remain untouched
until the lessons of their restoration have been studied;
to describe how best to harvest and use species needed for replacement
in the North and South;
to describe ways to mitigate the impact of the proposed railroad
and highway linking North and South;
to identify places in the DMZ where eco-tourism would work well.
Then, both governments might agree on steps to proceed toward a
Trans-boundary Peace Park. We urge both governments to take
these steps at the earliest possible time.
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