National Saemangeum Reclamation Museum Korean Reclamation

Zone 3

Korean Reclamation

The Korea Reclamation Room is a space where visitors can chronologically explore cases of land reclamation carried out across the Korean Peninsula. From ancient times to the present, Korean land reclamation has evolved in various forms tailored to the natural environment, geographical conditions, historical context, and socio-economic situations of each era. Since ancient times, Korea has consistently been a traditional agricultural nation, where increasing population and food demands necessitated land reclamation to secure more farmland. Entering the modern era, reclamation was intensified due to urbanization and industrialization which spurred population growth and geographical concentration. Through historical progression, advancements in technology and accumulated experience have continuously refined the methods of reclamation, a development that can be clearly seen today.

01. Ancient Korean Water Management Facilities
02. Goryeo Dynasty's Reclamation
03. Joseon Dynasty's Reclamation
04. Japanese Land Expropriation

05. Reclamation during the Japanese Colonial Period
06. Propaganda and Justification
07. Cities, Harbors, Railroads
08. Overcoming the Barley Hump

09. Large-Scale Agricultural Development and Industrial Zone Construction

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01Ancient Korean Water Management Facilities

The origins of reclamation projects are closely linked to agriculture. As the population increased, so did the demand for food, necessitating the development of new farmland through reclamation. Korea, traditionally an agricultural nation, required the expansion of water management facilities for land development. The origins of these water facilities can be traced back to small-scale water collection facilities and irrigation channels created during the Neolithic period, later evolving to include weirs that block rivers to store water and large-scale reservoirs.

02Goryeo Dynasty's Reclamation

Records of reclamation in Korea appear from the Goryeo Dynasty. In 1232, as the Goryeo court decided to resist the Mongol invasions by moving the capital to Ganghwa Island, intensive reclamation began. This move led many people including the royal family and nobility to flee to Ganghwa Island and nearby islands. The subsequent population increase and shortage of arable land prompted the construction of dykes in coastal areas to expand farmland.

03Joseon Dynasty's Reclamation

During the early Joseon Dynasty, frequent raids by pirates and wokou prevented the activation of coastal reclamation projects. To counter their invasions and allow for farming during peaceful times, communal fields (dunjeon) were established. As society stabilized, coastal areas began to be recognized as opportunities for land expansion. Large-scale reclamation projects were mostly conducted by the state, while smaller-scale efforts along riverbanks and in island regions were often undertaken by private individuals using their own slaves or by organizing community cooperatives for reclamation efforts.

04Japanese Land Expropriation

Japan began efforts to develop the wastelands of Korea during the era of the Korean Empire. After winning the Russo-Japanese War, Japan dispatched Itō Hirobumi (1841-1909) to the Korean Empire and forcibly concluded the Eulsa Treaty, establishing the Residency-General to dominate Korea's internal affairs. Although the Korean Empire did not permit foreigners to purchase land, Japanese individuals illicitly acquired lands.
The Residency-General legislated several regulations to legally acknowledge these Japanese landholdings, including the "Land and Buildings Registration Rules" in 1906, the "Land and Buildings Mortgage Execution Rules" in 1907, the "Public Unclaimed Land Utilization Law" in 1907, and the "Land and Buildings Ownership Registration Rules" in 1908.

05Reclamation during the Japanese Colonial Period

Strategic support and the alignment of interests among Japanese landlords and entrepreneurs facilitated large-scale reclamation and land improvement projects. Compared to the Japanese, who had superior capital and technology, Koreans were at a disadvantage in terms of the area permitted for public waters reclamation. However, Koreans led in the number of permits obtained, demonstrating an active engagement in reclamation efforts even within the colonial context.

06Propaganda and Justification

The Japanese used various means such as postcards, photographs, and booklets to justify their colonial rule and actively promote their governance achievements. Particularly, the construction of large-scale irrigation facilities and reclamation projects were frequently showcased as examples of colonial Korea's development. Following the March 1st Movement, the third Governor-General, Makoto Saito (1858-1936), used provincial tours to monitor anti-Japanese sentiments while promoting the legitimacy of the colonial administration.

07Cities, Harbors, Railroads

The Japanese constructed railroads, harbors, and cities in colonial Korea to facilitate their smooth rule and further their continental conquests. The acceleration and cost reduction of transportation by rail served as a foundation supporting the Rice Production Increase Plan. Large-scale irrigation and reclamation projects increased rice production, which was then transported through railways to various ports such as Incheon, Busan, Gunsan, Jinampo, Mokpo, and Wonsan, and exported to Japan.

08Overcoming the Barley Hump

After the restoration of national sovereignty, managing returned agricultural lands and enemy property became a major issue. Japanese left-behind materials and aid from the United States Economic Cooperation Administration facilitated the continuation of unfinished projects centered around irrigation districts and water user association federations, including reclamation projects. However, significant progress was lacking. Furthermore, shortly after, the Korean War erupted, and it was only after the war that the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency stepped in, initiating various economic recovery projects including the restoration and maintenance of irrigation facilities.

09Large-Scale Agricultural Development and Industrial Zone Construction

In the 1970s and 1980s, large-scale comprehensive agricultural development projects were undertaken. Previously, land development projects were sporadic single-purpose projects carried out by Agricultural Improvement Associations, which led to the dispersion of investment effects. Consequently, the Agricultural Development Corporation took over as the implementing body, restructuring the approach into a comprehensive development method. This method involved the creation and agricultural base establishment projects (such as land reclamation and irrigation development) over 230,000 hectares in 19 districts, organized around river basins, and linked with auxiliary projects (such as agricultural mechanization, road and rural road expansion, rural telephony) to enhance overall effectiveness.

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