KFEM is nationally and internationally active and works on a variety of smaller and larger projects.
Conservation of the Demilitarized Zone and surrounding area The
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a buffer area between North and South Korea which was established by the
Korean Armistice Agreement on 27 July 1953. The DMZ is about 249 km long and 4 km wide. Because of the limited human intervention in the DMZ and surrounding areas over the past 50 years, many wildlife species and plants have become established in the region, including endangered species like the
black-faced spoonbill,
red-crowned crane, and Amur
goral. KFEM conducts research and field surveys to determine the ecological value of these areas, especially in terms of biodiversity.
River protection South Korea is ranked 7th in the world for the number of dams in the country, while the density of dams ranks first in the world. As of 2008, the country had 39,900 km of reinforced river banks and 129,844 km of water supply facilities. KFEM has a long history of protesting against large dam construction and other river development projects on environmental grounds. One notable example was their opposition to the proposed
Grand Korean Waterway, a 540 kilometer canal linking the
Han River and the
Nakdong River that would have allowed cargo ships to sail between
Seoul and
Busan.
Wetlands conservation Wetlands in Korea are important breeding, stopover, and wintering sites for a lot of endangered bird species, including the red-crowned,
white-naped and
hooded cranes, black-faced spoonbills, and various migratory shorebirds. However, since 1990, more than 140,000 ha of coastal wetlands have been reclaimed, or are in the process of being claimed. KFEM has worked to conserve those wetlands, successfully persuading the Korean government to designate several wetlands as protected areas. These include the
Upo Wetland, a
Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. KFEM also conducts field surveys on important wetlands, and uses their scientific findings to improve government's wetland policies. They have also raised the public's awareness through various educational exhibitions, and
ecotourism activities.
Environmental health KFEM's work to protect people from biological and chemical hazards includes campaigns to phase out the use of toxic chemicals such as
asbestos in buildings and
PVC plastic products, and monitoring
indoor air quality of public places such as schools and subways. The organization has also researched the impact that bottled drinking water and IV bags have on the environment and human health. KFEM also works on food and agricultural issues. The organization supports organic agriculture, and opposes the use of GMOs and artificial food additives. To that end, KFEM conducts independent research to determine the impact of these products on human health and the ecosystem.
International cooperation As member of
Friends of the Earth International (FoE), KFEM is part of a global network of environmental organizations in 74 countries. Among other projects, KFEM supports FoE's
climate change campaign
The Big Ask. In May 1998, KFEM obtained the Special Consultative Status accreditation of the
United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Since then, the organization has helped to promote ECOSOC's agenda and values within Korean society. It collaborates with various environmental groups around the world to raise global citizens' voices to protect Korean and global natural resources and ecosystems. In the past, KFEM has worked on
desertification prevention in
Northeast China, as increasingly frequent sandstorms there threaten the livelihoods of all peoples across Northeast Asia. KFEM collaborated with Chinese NGOs to plant native grasses in the region, helping to protect and restore the grasslands of northern China. Along with local residents, KFEM has planted 900 hectares of grassland in the alkali desertification zone of Northwest
Jilin province from 2003 to 2007, and planted 200 hectares of grassland in Manduh Bulag within the northern part of
Inner Mongolia in 2007. In 2014, KFEM carried out an international project in the wetland areas of the
Brazilian Amazon. It also supports the Korean city
Suncheon in an exchange with the
Brazilian city
Curitiba (known as the "Ecological Capital of Brazil"). == Policy goals ==