Since long ago, Mount Kayasan has always been considered one of Korea's 8 great sites. As a place for spiritual cultivation, the mountain offers a superb environment. Haeinsa Temple, which coexists with Mount Kayasan, has been the backbone of Korean Buddhism for approximately 1200 long years, and the temple continues to take responsibility for this inherent role and duty. With the recent addition of the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List, both Haeinsa Temple and Mount Kayasan have earned recognition by the people of the world as a spiritually sacred place. They are now holy lands belonging to the people of the world. Regardless of its status as a world treasure, on June 19, the Seoul High Court ruled in favour of the plaintiff, Kaya Development Corporation, allowing for the construction of Haein Golf Course in Mount Kayasan. Allowing the dispute over the construction of a golf course in Mount Kayasan to be decided by the courts is a disgrace to the people of the country. WE ARE AGAINST THE CONSTRUCTION OF HAEIN GOLF COURSE INSIDE MOUNT KAYASAN NATIONAL PARK The construction of a golf course could be the beginning of a trend in more reckless development projects inside Mount Kayasan National Park, which is a cause for serious concern. It is also a sign that the government does not view Mount Kayasan as holy land any longer. Furthermore, the construction of a golf course will essentially destroy the image of Haeinsa Temple as an ideal place for spiritual cultivation. The construction of a golf course next to Haeinsa Temple, where all of the invaluable Buddhist scriptures are preserved, goes to show that no temple is immune to having a golf course built nearby. This current crisis is really one in which Buddhism is fighting to receive due recognition as a religion that has been a vital part of the Korean culture for hundreds of years. WE ARE AGAINST THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GOLF COURSE AS IT ENDANGERS THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE If a Haein Golf Course is constructed, the stability of Mount Kayasan will weaken considerably since the trees in Paegun Village will be wiped out and the topsoil bulldozed. In the event of rain, there is potential for a landslide as well as floods. This was the case in the summer of 1991, when 30 people were buried and consequently killed by the mass of bulldozed land, resulting from the construction of Yongin Golf Course, that fell upon them. The government, however, seems to be intent on avoiding the issue as they continue to take no preventive measures concerning the danger of landslides resulting from the construction of golf courses. The maintenance of the golf course will require 23 million tons of water every day, which will cause a shortage of water supply for farming and a shortage in drinking water. The lower part of the river in Koryong County, where Haein Golf Course is planned to be built, has historically been known to be good. During the Choson Dynasty, rice made in Koryong County would be offered to the king in his tribute. Even today, the prices of agricultural products sold in Koryong County are much higher than those of other areas.