History of the Saemangeum project

1971-86: Inspection of potential construction sites for the Saemangeum development project.

January 1986: Beginning of the Saemangeum development project’s design stage.

November 1989: The Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announces the Saemangeum development project plan.

November 1991: Beginning of the seawall construction.

1995: Water pollution in Saemangeum Lake becomes controversial, leading to environmentalists demanding a half to the project.

May 1999: An expert review panel begins a review of the environmental effects of the Saemangeum project.

March-May 2003: Civic and religious organizations conduct a 65-day pilgrimage from Buan County to Seoul.

March 2006: The Supreme Court rules in favor of the government in a lawsuit filed by an environmental organization to stop the project due to environmental concerns.

April 2007: Initial development plan for the reclaimed lands is established with 72 percent of the land being designated for agricultural use.

October 2008: The plan for reclaimed land is revised to 30 percent of the land being designated for agricultural use.

January 2010: The plan for the reclaimed land is finalized.

April 2010: Seawall construction is completed.

December 2012: A special law is passed to support the project.

September 2013: Opening of the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency.

September 2014: Revision and finalization of the Saemangeum project plan.

2020: Expected completion date for the first level of development of the reclaimed land.