Transmission line construction along the Baekdu-daegan mountain range has caused severe forest damage and heightened landslide risks ahead of the rainy season [1].
This environmental degradation threatens nearby residential areas, as the loss of slope stability and inadequate erosion controls could lead to catastrophic soil runoff during heavy rains.
Forest engineer Song Jae-soon identified critical failures at transmission tower sites on steep slopes, including large cracks and soil erosion [1]. The damage is attributed to excessive forest clearing and poorly secured geotextile sheets, which are intended to stabilize the soil but have failed to prevent runoff [1].
Song said that the current state of the slopes creates a dangerous situation for local residents. He said that when soil collapses and blocks water paths, the water redirects and spreads across the slopes [1].
"If it goes only 30 m to 100 m [1], it is a village, and the village people must evacuate," Song said [1].
These vulnerabilities were first highlighted in a report by YTN last month [1]. The report detailed how the combination of steep terrain and insufficient stabilization measures has turned parts of the mountain range into a liability for the communities below.
In response to the findings, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) announced it would undertake large-scale restoration work to address the instability of the affected slopes [1]. The utility provider is tasked with securing the terrain before the onset of the seasonal rains to prevent potential casualties and property damage.
“Construction... has caused severe forest damage and heightened landslide risks.”
The situation highlights the tension between expanding national energy infrastructure and maintaining environmental safety standards. Because the Baekdu-daegan range is a critical ecological spine in South Korea, failure to implement rigorous slope-stabilization during industrial construction can transform essential utility projects into public safety hazards, particularly as climate patterns increase the intensity of seasonal monsoons.
