🚨 Slope Protection Projects: Landslide Prevention vs Private Land Conflicts

Today Korean Social News | 2025.07.22

📌 Slope Protection Projects to Prevent Landslides Face Halt Due to Private Land Disputes

💬 Gyeonggi Province invests over 10 billion won annually in 'slope protection projects' to prevent landslides, but cases of project cancellation due to private land conflicts are increasing. This year, there are plans to install slope dams in 60 locations within the province, but progress faces difficulties due to landowner opposition and excessive compensation demands. In fact, some temples have filed lawsuits against Seoul City opposing slope facility installation and won their cases. Experts point out that institutional improvements are urgent to respond to the expanding scale of disasters due to climate change.

Summary

• Slope protection projects are national disaster prevention projects to prevent landslide and debris flow damage.
• The main purpose is to stabilize mountainous areas through slope dam installation and stream conservation construction.
• Project implementation is facing growing difficulties due to private landowner opposition and compensation conflicts.

1️⃣ Definition

Slope protection projects are projects that stabilize ground through slope dam installation and stream conservation construction to prevent landslide and debris flow damage that may occur in forests or valleys. The purpose is to prevent steep slope collapse due to heavy rain or earthquakes, and reduce damage to downstream areas by blocking soil and stones flowing down from mountainous areas.

This goes beyond simply protecting mountains to protect the lives and property of residents living below mountains, and is an essential national project to protect social infrastructure such as roads and houses.

💡 Why is it important?

• Landslide risks are growing as heavy rains and typhoons increase due to climate change.
• Natural ground stability is weakening as mountain development increases.
• A single landslide can cause casualties and massive property damage.
• Prevention is much more economical and effective than post-disaster recovery.

2️⃣ Types and Methods of Slope Protection Projects

📕 Main Types of Slope Protection Projects

• Slope dam installation is the most representative method. Main features are as follows:

  • Dams are built with concrete or stones in valleys or streams to block the flow of soil and stones.
  • Height is usually 3-15 meters, with size determined by terrain and risk level.
  • In normal times, only water flows through, while during floods, it filters out soil and stones.
  • Once installed, it continuously provides effects for 20-30 years.
  • About 120,000 slope dams are operating nationwide.

• Stream conservation construction is also an important slope protection project. Main contents are as follows:

  • Valley bottoms and sides are reinforced with concrete or stones to prevent erosion.
  • Water flow is stabilized to prevent deep erosion of stream beds.
  • Collapse of slopes on both sides of valleys is prevented.
  • Safety is enhanced while maintaining the natural flow of existing streams as much as possible.

📕 Effects and Necessity of Slope Protection Projects

• Disaster prevention effects are being proven. Main achievements are as follows:

  • Areas where slope dams are installed show significantly lower landslide occurrence rates.
  • During the 2020 heavy rains, damage was greatly reduced in areas with slope dams.
  • Recovery costs from a single large landslide often exceed slope dam construction costs by more than 10 times.
  • Property damage to roads, houses, and farmland can be greatly reduced, as well as preventing casualties.

• Necessity is growing even more due to climate change. Main changes are as follows:

  • Annual precipitation is similar, but concentration in short periods is becoming more pronounced.
  • The frequency of extreme rainfall exceeding 80mm per hour is continuously increasing.
  • Typhoon intensity is strengthening, making it difficult for existing slope facilities to handle in some cases.
  • Mountain development and urbanization are changing natural water flow, causing damage in unexpected places.

Why Slope Protection Projects are Urgent

1. Accelerating Climate Change: Unpredictable extreme rainfall and increasing typhoons
2. Urbanization Progress: Increased disaster vulnerability due to development around mountainous areas
3. Aging Infrastructure: Simultaneous need for reinforcing existing slope facilities and installing new ones
4. Economic Efficiency of Prevention: Post-disaster recovery costs are tens of times prevention investment
5. Life Protection: A single landslide can cause irreversible damage

3️⃣ Private Land Conflicts and Institutional Limitations

✅ Current Status of Conflicts with Private Landowners

• Compensation issues are the biggest obstacle. Main conflict factors are as follows:

  • Compensation demands for land use restrictions due to slope dam installation are increasing.
  • Some landowners demand compensation several times higher than market value.
  • When religious facilities or cultural properties exist, opposition occurs citing damage to religious and cultural values.
  • Aesthetic reasons are also raised, claiming that slope dam installation damages surrounding scenery.
  • Complaints about noise, dust, and traffic inconvenience during construction continuously occur.

• Lack of legal enforcement power is the fundamental problem. Main limitations are as follows:

  • Under current Forest Protection Law, forced execution is difficult if landowners refuse.
  • While public benefit is recognized, there's no clear priority when conflicting with individual property rights.
  • Local governments often give up due to litigation costs and time burdens.
  • Securing alternative sites or bypass installation is realistically difficult due to geographical constraints in most cases.

✅ Overseas Cases and Improvement Directions

• Advanced countries operate systems prioritizing public benefit. Main cases are as follows:

  • Japan enables mandatory slope protection project implementation in steep slope collapse risk areas.
  • Germany prioritizes public safety over individual property rights when installing flood prevention facilities.
  • Switzerland implements strong regulations restricting residence in landslide risk areas.
  • Austria defines slope protection projects as essential national infrastructure, enabling swift execution.

• Domestic institutional improvement directions are being proposed. Main improvement plans are as follows:

  • Legal amendment is needed to enable land expropriation based on public benefit in disaster risk areas.
  • Guidelines to clarify compensation standards and limit excessive compensation demands are urgently needed.
  • Publicity and education are needed to build social consensus on the public value of slope protection projects.
  • Participatory approaches that strengthen communication with local residents and collect opinions from the design stage are needed.

4️⃣ Related Term Explanations

🔎 Debris Flow

• Debris flow is a form of landslide that is very dangerous.
• Debris flow refers to a phenomenon where soil, stones, trees, etc. on mountain slopes flow down at high speed along with water due to heavy rain or earthquakes. It moves faster than general landslides, has greater destructive power, and is more dangerous because it's difficult to predict.
• Characteristics of debris flows include: First, they move at speeds of 20-40 km/hour, leaving insufficient time to evacuate. Second, they carry huge rocks and trees, making their destructive power enormous. Third, their path is difficult to predict, spreading damage to unexpected areas. Fourth, secondary and tertiary debris flows can occur consecutively after the initial occurrence.
• For debris flow prevention, slope dam installation is known as the most effective method. This is because slope dams can greatly reduce the amount of soil and stones flowing downstream. Mountain management and early warning system construction are also important.

🔎 Stream Conservation

• Stream conservation is the core of slope protection projects that stabilize rivers and valleys.
• Stream conservation refers to projects that stabilize water flow and prevent erosion in small rivers or valleys in mountainous areas to prevent landslides and debris flows. Natural valleys can become unstable when bottoms and sides are severely eroded during heavy rain or floods.
• Main methods of stream conservation include: First, preventing erosion by laying concrete or stones on valley bottoms. Second, reinforcing valley walls on both sides to prevent collapse. Third, designing gentle structures so water flow doesn't change dramatically. Fourth, applying eco-friendly construction methods considering fish migration routes and ecosystems.
• Stream conservation aims not simply to cover with concrete but to enhance safety while preserving natural river environments as much as possible. Recently, eco-friendly construction methods using gabions or wood are increasing, and designs considering both ecosystem restoration and landscape conservation are becoming important.

🔎 Steep Slopes

• Steep slopes refer to areas with high landslide risk.
• Steep slopes refer to natural or artificial slope surfaces with gradients of 30 degrees (about 58%) or more and heights of 5 meters or more. These areas have high collapse risk during heavy rain or earthquakes and are specially managed by the state.
• The management system for steep slopes includes: First, nationwide steep slope surveys are conducted and managed as databases at the national level. Second, they are classified into grades 1-4 according to risk level for differential management. Third, high-risk areas operate resident evacuation plans and early warning systems. Fourth, regular inspections and repair/reinforcement are conducted.
• For steep slope collapse prevention, methods such as retaining wall installation, drainage facility maintenance, and slope greening are used. Particularly, steep slopes in urban areas often adjoin houses or roads, requiring more careful management. It's important for residents to check steep slope risk levels around their residences and know emergency evacuation procedures.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: There are criticisms that slope dams destroy the environment. Are they really necessary?

A: Environmental destruction concerns about slope dams are understandable. However, technology is currently developing toward securing safety while minimizing environmental impact. First, modern slope dams create fish migration routes to prevent ecosystem disruption. Second, natural stones or eco-friendly materials are used to reduce landscape damage. Third, environmental impact is limited by installing only the minimum necessary size. Fourth, environmental impact on ecosystems is carefully reviewed through environmental impact assessments before installation. Above all, considering the casualties and property damage that slope dams can prevent, it's important to find a balance between environmental considerations and safety assurance. We must also consider that much greater environmental destruction can occur if landslides happen. Therefore, achieving both environmental conservation and disaster prevention through eco-friendly design and construction is the desirable direction.

Q: How can I find out if slope protection projects are needed in my neighborhood?

A: The necessity of slope protection projects in your area can be confirmed through several methods. First, you can check disaster risk areas nationwide on the National Disaster Safety Portal (www.safekorea.go.kr). Second, you can receive guidance on slope protection project plans by contacting the forestry or safety departments of your local city/county/district office. Third, you can understand your neighborhood's risk level through landslide risk maps provided by the Korea Forest Service. Fourth, if your area has steep slopes with gradients over 30 degrees or has a history of past landslides, slope protection projects are likely needed. Also, if muddy water frequently flows down from valleys during heavy rains or stones are observed rolling down, please request inspection from professional organizations. Local residents can directly propose slope protection projects, and in such cases, related organizations determine necessity through on-site investigations. The important thing is to report to related organizations without delay when discovering risk signs.