Lake Sihwa, the largest artificial lake in Korea surrounded by Siheung, Ansan, and Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province, marks its 30th anniversary this year. Located near Ilsan and serving as a habitat for life, this lake celebrates its 30th anniversary. We look back on the miraculous journey of Lake Sihwa, which transformed from a lake that had fallen into a "dead lake" due to pollution starting immediately after its completion into a treasure trove of ecological environment. Lake Sihwa was created after the government established the Banwol Special Area Development Plan to efficiently disperse the population and industries within the Seoul metropolitan area, and completed the construction of the Sihwa Seawall on January 24, 1994. It is the largest artificial lake in the country, with a reservoir capacity of 332 million tons, and the seawall is a whopping 12.7 km long. However, pollution began with its completion. In August 1996, hundreds of thousands of fish died en masse in Lake Sihwa. If you look at data confirmed through Google's satellite imagery in 1997, you can see that the inner part of Lake Sihwa was polluted with very black water, while the outer part The waters off the coast of Incheon near Hankuk University of Foreign Studies have now turned blue, so you can likely see data that presents a stark contrast. At its worst during that period, the post-contamination level was approximately 17.4 ppm according to COD standards. To borrow the words of experts, it was " dead water." In other words, it was irrecoverable water; from a physical and scientific perspective, it was water that humans could no longer utilize—in other words, it was " dead water." Thus, it could be viewed as a "dead lake." However, changes began gradually after the government fully circulated seawater in 1998 and subsequently abandoned desalination. Lake Sihwa began to come back to life. Lake Sihwa in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, which once bore the stigma of being synonymous with water pollution, has been reborn as a lake of life where various migratory birds, otters, and other natural monuments inhabit. Since then, thanks to the concerted efforts of the government, local authorities, environmental activists, and citizens to improve water quality, the ecosystem has now recovered 999%. The lake water has returned to a transparent blue hue, to the point where white clams on the seabed at a depth of 30 cm are visible. Species that had disappeared, such as rockfish, sea bream, and surf clams, are also now inhabiting the area. 80 species Nearby migratory birds have returned, and endangered bird species, such as the yellow-billed Hooni, have also been observed. So, about 30 years have passed; if we exclude the COD standard, it is around 2.2 tpm. Based on our assessment, we can view this as the water being restored to the state it was in before Lake Sihwa was born. We see Lake Sihwa as currently improving and the process of life returning to the lake. Therefore, it can be viewed not as a completed form, but as an ongoing process of health improvement. Broadly speaking, there are two points to mention. The first is Lake Leman, which spans across Switzerland and is referred to as Lake Geneva. It was a place severely affected by water pollution. Through various efforts, such as constructing sewage treatment plants to purify the water, it has become the Lake Leman it is today. Japan also has another example. In the case of Minamata, factory wastewater and domestic sewage flowed directly into the sea, causing residents to suffer from water poisoning, which became a major topic of discussion. Overcoming the problems of Emanosu, Kitakyushu, and the Toyama River was largely due to the power of the government. However, our case differs in that we solved this problem through joint cooperation involving the government, local governments, civil society, and experts. In particular, it can be seen as distinct from other cases in that the future process of restoring Chiwoo will also be carried out jointly by the private sector. Did you know that a giant turtle is hiding in Lake Sihwa, where various life forms have been revived? Named Turtle Island because it resembles a turtle when viewed from the sky, this artificial island created during the reclamation of Lake Sihwa is filled with marine leisure, culture, arts, and various attractions. The Turtle in the Multi Techno Valley is attracting attention as a hub leading the next generation of marine leisure, with various amenities rapidly opening up, starting with Wave Park, Asia's first artificial surfing facility that has already become a mecca for surfing enthusiasts. Wave Park is the world's largest artificial surfing facility, designed to allow surfing all year round. Various types of waves are generated up to a height of 2.4 meters, allowing you to select wave times that suit your skill level. Including Paradise 35, an indoor diving facility boasting the deepest depth in the country, families can... This is a multi-purpose leisure facility filled with diverse entertainment, ranging from an infinity pool and parapet tree ghats to a flat football stadium. With depth zones divided into five levels ranging from 1.3m to 35m, both beginners and experts can safely experience diving. In particular, unique sculptures are installed at each depth level, allowing you to take stunning photos to commemorate your dive. Freediving certifications are also available, and diving programs with experts are popular. Why not try to capture the best shot of your life? Siheung City is hosting various events at Turtle Island this year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of Lake Sihwa. First, regarding the yacht mooring area... I think it is so nice to discover how it is gradually changing. It feels good and is fun. There are currently plans to create a 70km walking trail that circles Lake Sihwa. About 35km has already been built. If we can create various courses such as history exploration courses, energy exploration courses, environment exploration courses, and integrated courses, 20 million citizens from the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions can come here and experience the storytelling of our Lake Sihwa—that is, how it transformed from a history of death to a history of life, and what an exemplary environment has been. You will be able to see examples, and especially since this area is right next to the West Sea, we think the sunsets are quite beautiful. Of course, many people talk about the sunrise, but I believe the sunset viewed from here offers a different kind of charm. Located to the left, Turtle Island is already a famous marine leisure spot where you can enjoy various marine sports on both land and sea. The Marine Leisure Academy project, which has been held annually on the North Island since 2015, consists of yacht surfing and steering classes. There are quite a few people who enjoy marine leisure, but regarding education, in our case, we conduct classes for students on weekdays and offer experiential activities for the general public on weekends. I understand that it is rare to find a place where you can experience these activities for free. Among these, the yachting and surfing classes provide opportunities for about 6,000 young people in the area to experience various marine leisure activities through this initiative. The instructor was a bit strict about safety, but it was fun, so I enjoyed it well. How was it? Oh, now that we went out to the sea, it was nice to have water and a cool breeze blowing. When you hold on like this while riding, the instructor creates waves for you, and that was fun. Children don't often have the chance to easily experience these kinds of water leisure activities, and practically speaking, in the case of the field experience box... While we often go to places like this, I think it was very meaningful to be able to experience water activities like this. The children participated very enthusiastically and had a lot of fun, and thanks to the excellent guidance from the staff, it was great that we could safely enjoy water leisure activities. Since the environment here is similar to the open sea, you should consider it susceptible to factors like wind and mist, which can sometimes lead to unfavorable conditions. Aside from that, the environment is excellent, and despite being close to the West Sea, it is an optimal location for activities that is almost unaffected by tidal differences. After having fun outdoors, we also need time to enrich our minds. Let’s head to the Bondavinci Museum, which opened last May with a scale of 2,000 pyeong. This permanent media art exhibition hall was selected as a 2024 Gyeonggi Unique Venue, breathing vitality into Siheung’s MICE industry. The Bondavinci Museum received high praise for featuring a differentiated exhibition space focused on art tourism. Lake Sihwa, having undergone a great transformation, has now emerged as a symbol of overcoming environmental pollution. Reborn as a treasure trove of life, a cradle of environmental education, and an eco-friendly marine leisure hub, Lake Sihwa ecological climate change This is a unique place that embraces diverse environmental agendas in an era of eco-friendly development. Currently, through a collaborative project with the Ministry of Environment, we are attempting to transform this area into a habitat during the open tide. In particular, birds are flying here right now, and there is a small breakwater stretching from one end to the other. When people visit, they often ask, "Why did they build that? Why is there a dike?" But birds need to rest, don't they? We created this dike-shaped structure to provide them with a place to rest. If you look at the far end, you can see birds coming out right now. You can view this place as providing excellent educational opportunities for our children. It is the very place where they learn the history of Lake Sihwa and realize the importance of the environment that has revived the lake. This is because, by observing the shellfish and birds living here, our children come to understand that this is truly a living lake and can tangibly experience the history of the environment's revival from a "dead lake" of the past. Based on his experience at Lake Sihwa, Mr. Siheung is striving to raise awareness of the importance of the environment and enhance the value of Lake Sihwa by preparing various environmental education programs. Lake Sihwa will serve as a guide toward the harmony of development and preservation between humans and nature. To create sustainable development values ​​for Lake Sihwa—a natural breathing ground and a resting space for citizens— Siheung City is pushing to designate October 10th as "Lake Sihwa Day." What is the reason for designating October 10th? First, October is the month when the support ordinance for the revitalization of Lake Sihwa in Gyeonggi Province was enacted. The development plan for the Lake Sihwa Tidal Power Plant was also announced in October 2003, so October and Lake Sihwa have a strong connection. The Ansan-Siheung-Hwaseong Joint Declaration for the development and advancement of Lake Sihwa was also released in October 2011. How about reflecting on and looking around Lake Sihwa on October 10th? Based on October, the month when the revised announcement for the Sihwa District development plan—specifically the construction of the tidal power plant—which served as the catalyst for Lake Sihwa's birth, was made, the 10th also carries the meaning of being reborn as a symbol of environmental restoration. For a full ten months, a mother October 10th has been designated as a day symbolizing Xiao, which is born filled with future value after enduring a time of hardship, much like a child facing a new world in the womb. In particular, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Xiao, we are hosting and promoting various events and festivals, both large and small, as well as operating a nationwide photo exhibition, academic forum, and citizen participation programs. Siheung City is constantly striving to create the most beautiful poetic verses sought after not only by the citizens of Siheung but also by people across the nation and the world. We look forward to the future of Lake Sihwa, the Lake of Life that created a 30-year miracle, where nature, people, developing industries, and a bright future are reflected. [ Music] n