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Oil Slick Clean-Up Underway

DW Staff (act)December 11, 2007

The recent oil spillage on South Korea's south-western coast is likely to have devastating consequences on the environment and on tourism in the region. Thousands of volunteers have been participating in the clean-up operation, which could last up to two months. And the two candidates for the upcoming presidential elections have also got stuck in, hoping to boost their ratings before next week.

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Volunteers and troops are cleaning South Korea's beaches
Volunteers and troops are cleaning South Korea's beachesImage: AP

South Korea is electing a new president on Dec. 19. Lee Myung Bak is the conservative favourite. At the weekend, he immediately spotted a way of further improving his chances and rushed off to Mallipo beach. There, he donned protective gear and rubber boots and started cleaning up.

Hot on his rival's heels, the left-wing challenger Chung Dong Young also arrived in the region. These two politicians seized their chance, as the government in Seoul was still dithering about how to react to the oil spillage. Only after the region's inhabitants and fishermen had complained, was "rapid" help promised.

An industrial barge rammed into the "Hebei Spirit" supertanker last Friday and tore three holes into its hull. Rescue workers were only able to seal the holes on Sunday by which time over 10,000 tonnes of crude oil had spilt into the Yellow Sea. By Monday, oil had coated one hundred and fifty kilometres of coastline.

Beautiful beach is black

Mallipo beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the East Asian coast. Last year, it attracted over 20 million visitors. Now, it is black -- covered in crude oil after the worst offshore oil spillage in South Korea's history.

The jobs of four thousand people employed by the local fishing industry are under threat. And the ecological consequences could be disastrous. The region is one of Asia's largest wetlands -- a significant habitat for migratory birds.

Thousands of South Koreans have joined the clean-up efforts to avert a national tragedy. Local inhabitants, troops, police and coastguard officers have been working both on land and in the water to contain the oil from washing onto the beaches.

Special disaster zone

After being criticised for its initial inadequate response, the government dispatched more troops to help with the clean-up operation on Tuesday. It also declared the region a special disaster zone.

This means that local inhabitants and industries are eligible for direct subsidies from the central government. They are likely to receive public compensation worth millions.

The maritime ministry thinks the clean-up operation could last up to two months. By then, South Korea will have a new president. The way the presidential candidates deal with the oil slick may well have an effect on who ends up winning next week's elections.