Primeval forests in Gariwang Mountain that have been preserved for 500 years are now threatened by plans to develop the area for skiing facilities for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The mountain contains rare plant species and over 500 ancient trees that would be cut down for ski slopes, while only 181 replacement trees are planned. Environmental groups and activists oppose the development because alternative options exist under FIS rules to host ski events and protect the forest.

1. ⓒ Jungi Nam
Primeval forests, preserved for 500 years since the Chosun Dynasty, are now being threatened for only 3 days of skiing at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
500 Years vs 3 Days

2. Ⓒ
Gariwang Mountain has the highest classification for environmental preservation according to the Ministry of Environment.
Primordial forests practically untouched by human hands.

3. Ⓒ
The Office of Forestry designated Mt. Gariwang as a “Forest Genetic Resource Reserve” due to its rare species. Development of this area is strictly prohibited for both private and governmental projects.

4. In June of 2013, the Office of Forestry announced its decision to make 78 hectares of this preservation area open to development for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

5. 60,000 VS 181
58,000 trees will be cut down to create ski slopes, according to the environmental assessment.
Only181 trees will be planted as part of the Gangwon governments plan to “restore” the local environment after the Olympics.

6. ⓒYounghoon Park
Currently, 65 trees have been identified in the environmental assessment report as “giant” and/or “ancient”.
A 2-year investigation by Good Friends of Nature Korea, an environmental NGO, found 188 pine trees, Betulas, and Mongolian oaks with a diameter of more than 50 cm.

7. Ⓒ
Vs plants in IUCN Red list inhabit at the mountain: Critically Endangered Species(CR); Allium microdictyon, Endangered Species(EN);Oplopanax elatus, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Vulnerable Species(VU) Thuja koraiensis, Leontice microrhyncha, Bupleurum falcatum, Paeonia japonica, Clintonia udensis, Codonopsis pilosula, Taxus cuspidata, Iris odaesanensis, Least Concerned Species(LC)Streptopus ovalis, Syringa wolfii, Rodgersia podophylla, Lysimachia coreana, Syringa patula, Viola diamantiaca, Lilium distichum , Celtis choseniana
And the most of IUCN Red list species in Mt. Gariwangsan related endemic species of Korea.

8. Rules of FIS-SKI vs Rules of FIS-SKI
Choi Moon Soon, Governor of Gangwon Province, wrote on his blog on September 22, 2014: “I am aware that many people are worried by the construction of the downhill ski slope at Mt. Gariwang for the 2018 Pyongchang Winter Olympics. I understand and empathize thoroughly. I am also concerned, but there is no alternative.”

9. ICR provision 7.6.2 from the FIS Rules
706.2.1 Downhill in Two Runs If the topography of a country does not permit a Downhill with the required vertical drop as stated in the ICR, a Downhill in two runs can be organised.
701.1.1 Men's Courses For Olympic Winter Games, FIS World Ski Championships and FIS World Cups: 800 m
(in exceptional cases 750 m) – 1100 m
These two provisions clearly show that Mt. Gariwang is not the only way to satisfy the requirements of the FIS. The 2 RUN provision can be applied or the 50 m structural supplement can be applied to an already existing ski ground in Gangwon Province with a vertical drop of 700 m.

10. ⓒYounghoon Park
On August 22nd, environmental activists reported illegal deforestation sites on Mt. Gariwang. The deforestation was stopped at that point, but legal deforestation is imminent.

11. In 1998, Nagano, Japan negotiated with IOC on stadiums for environmental problems, until leaving one year for Winter Olympics.
As a result, competitions were held using structural supplements on existing ski facilities.
ⓒ김보은

12. Germany refused to host the Winter Olympics due to local opposition; “Nolympia” opposed the Winter Olympics over concerns about the long term consequences that the Games would create in the local economy.

13. There are four years left until the
Pyeongchang Winter Olympics

14. Let's save Gariwang Mountain together!
Let's stand up for the forest!
Publisher: Green Korea United
Contact: In-Chul Hwang
Tel: +82-70-7438-8523 Email: hic7478@greenkorea.org