Minister Jo Myung-rae Visits Jeonbuk, Holds Meeting with Governor Song Ha-jin

Emphasis on Accountability for Releases from Seomjin and Yongdam Dams Along with the Importance of Long-Term Measures

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hong Jaehee] Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae visited Jeonbuk to discuss the release of water from the Seomjin and Yongdam dams with Governor Song Ha-jin.

According to Jeonbuk Province on the 16th, Minister Cho Myung-rae held a meeting with Governor Song Ha-jin in the afternoon and promised to identify responsibility for the dam discharge and to establish permanent measures for water resource management.

Minister Cho said, "The scale of the damage seems larger than expected," and added, "I regret that if more thorough preventive measures had been taken in advance, the damage might have been reduced."

He also stated, "The criteria for special disaster zones and support were established 20 years ago, so there are parts that do not fit the current reality," and emphasized, "It is important to clearly identify the causes and responsibilities, and above all, to prepare permanent countermeasures."

He continued, "There is regret over the blame-shifting during the explanation of the causes of various damages by agencies under the Ministry of Environment," and said, "Although it was explained that the dam discharge was conducted according to the manual, we will thoroughly investigate any problems that occurred."

Minister Cho emphasized, "Controversies over appropriate discharge will be thoroughly investigated by forming a dam management investigation committee to leave no doubts," and added, "The committee will be formed with recommendations from local governments and will be operated very objectively and transparently."

In response, Governor Song said, "Water quality is important, and so is water quantity, but in disaster and calamity, the issue is more about water quantity," and argued, "Special attention to managing water quantity in disaster and calamity should be a major focus in future water management."

He also pointed out, "The special disaster zone system itself needs to be fundamentally changed to fit the current reality," and criticized, "Even if the requirements are not met at the county level, they may be met at the township level, but because the requirements are not met, even damages up to 2 billion won cannot qualify for designation as a special disaster zone."

On this day, Governor Song called for objective identification of causes related to dam discharge volume, thorough water management and permanent countermeasures, realization of the special disaster zone designation system, appropriate compensation for farmers, and exploration of multifaceted directions to provide assistance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.