Forests Stretch to the Sea

Tens of years have passed since the large, long-distance conveyor belt was built at the Unnyul Mine. Since then, it has extended longer by connecting several islands on the West Sea of Korea with embankments.

And forests have been formed around the belt, covering an area of over 150 hectares. Tens-of-kilometre-long embankments were built with mucks.

There are hundreds of thousands of trees of over 20 species, including Robinia viscosa, poplar, pine, pine-nut, walnut, apricot, peach and persimmon trees, and over one million flowering shrubs, including azaleas and sweet briers. Among them are over 40-year-old trees.

In spring, the forests attract bees and butterflies as various kinds of flowers come into full bloom, and fruits get ripe in summer and autumn. Even in winter, such wild animals as roe deer, hare, squirrel, pheasant and birds settle in the forests with their distinctive scenery.

The locals say that they benefit from the forests.

The forests make it possible for them to protect equipment and facilities from the sea wind, gather in honey and various fruits and produce timbers and wooden props, while adding beauty to the seaside.

The forests are expanding to the sea.