People For Earth

At the 11th session of the 2025 Climate Change Colloquium held on October 17, 2025, we invited Dr. Won Kim, author of Han River, 1968, to explore the theme “The Han River of Golden Sands.” The session offered an in-depth discussion on the development, transformation, and restoration needs of the Han River. Drawing on historical documents, data, and extensive fieldwork, Dr. Kim—an expert in river and stream restoration—reconstructed the long-forgotten original landscape of the Han River and its transformation. He reminded us that what we must restore is not only the river’s ecology but also the reciprocal relationship in which citizens and the river coexist as partners.

For centuries, the Han River was known for its natural curves, golden sandy riverbanks, and rich ecosystems. However, rapid development, landfilling, and dredging from the 1960s to the 1980s stripped the river of most of its original character. Districts such as Yeouido, Jamsil, Banpo, and Apgujeong were built from enormous quantities of sand dredged from the riverbed. As a result, the Han River has shifted from being an accessible everyday living space to an artificial environment consumed mainly as a “Han River view.”

Dr. Wontae Kwon, who joined the discussion, emphasized that the transformation of Seoul’s waterways occurred explosively within just a few decades. She highlighted how important it is for citizens to experience and feel the changes, beginning with small-scale restoration efforts. Professor Younggeun Chae also stressed that river straightening and excessive engineering works strip rivers of their natural character, underscoring the need to create environments where citizens can directly encounter water and grow alongside the river.

A key point highlighted in this colloquium was the need to regard the Han River—and nature in general—not merely as an object for development and use, but as a subject in its own right. Participants argued that the river must be recognized as an entity with inherent value and rights, calling for a new ethical perspective in which humans and nature coexist in mutual respect. This shift in perspective is essential to realizing river restoration and nature-based solutions.

Going forward, continued and diverse efforts are needed to ensure that the Han River becomes a vibrant ecological space accessible to all, rather than just a scenic backdrop. When citizens, experts, and policymakers unite in respecting the rights and intrinsic value of nature, the Han River and Seoul’s waterways can be preserved as invaluable legacies for future generations.

• * Full video of the colloquium is available here.