Absolute / Relative Conservation Areas

Jeju Island has a variety of ecological resources and beautiful scenic resources. These environmental resources require continuous management. Based on the relevant law, the island is divided into areas for effective management of ground water resources, ecosystem and landscape areas. The areas belonging to Class I and II encompass ground water resources, ecosystem and landscape areas within the Hallasan Mountain National Park, urban areas (streams, shores, volcanic cones, migrate habitats, gotjawal forest, landscape areas, ground water sources, detention ponds, protected plants, cultural properties, and wetlands), and the annexed island areas (Chuja-do, Mara-do, Daryeo-do, and U-do), which are categorized into absolute and relative conservation zones. The remaining land areas-excluding the national park, urban areas, and annexed islands-are designated for management and conservation. The absolute and relative conservation areas have been designated since 1994, updated every five years to conduct survey on changes in the areas and reflect circumstances. As of 2022, the absolute conservation area covers 201,639,970 m2 while the relative one extends 12,763,023 m2. In an preservation area, such acts as construction, installations of facilities, landfilling, felling, and new road building shall not be performed except for academic study/research and acts prescribed by the municipal ordinance, which do not damage or alter the original form of natural resources. The management and conservation area has been designated since 2003 and certain activities are restricted according to conservation zone categories. In the groundwater resource conservation area, waste water treatment facilities are restricted; changing land forms and quality is limited in the ecosystem conservation area; limitations are imposed in installation of facilities and their height in the landscape conservation areas.