The Ministry of Environment Says "We Will Hold Dam Management Accountable"... Is This a Case of Scapegoating?

Ministry of Environment "Dam Investigation Committee Formed... Strict Measures According to Law"
Experts "Faulty Manual Under Ministry of Environment's Jurisdiction"
"Flood Control Office Approval Required for Discharge... Primary Responsibility"
Passive Stance on Flood Prevention Investigation of Four Major Rivers Weirs

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Bo-kyung and Moon Chae-seok] The Ministry of Environment has belatedly announced that it will hold dam management accountable and even consider criminal penalties amid controversy over whether recent flood damage caused by heavy rain was a 'man-made disaster' due to sudden dam discharge. However, among experts, negative opinions prevail that "the cause of flood damage is being sought only in dam discharge." Regarding the evaluation of flood control effects of the Four Major Rivers Project, which was ordered by President Moon Jae-in, the Ministry of Environment seems to be postponing it, apparently mindful of political controversy.

On the 17th, Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae held a briefing at the Government Complex Sejong and announced that a joint public-private 'Dam Management Investigation Committee' will be formed to thoroughly investigate whether the operation and management of the Seomjin River Dam, Yongdam Dam, and Hapcheon Dam during the recent heavy rain period were appropriate. Minister Cho said, "We will clarify without a shred of doubt whether dam operation was appropriate. Through a detailed investigation by the committee, we will assess the degree of violation and its impact," adding, "We will request disciplinary action or criminal penalties according to relevant laws," showing a tough stance.

This investigation plan was announced only after local governments downstream of the Seomjin River Dam, where large-scale flood damage occurred, blamed the Ministry of Environment and Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) for negligence in dam operation management, and K-water countered by blaming inaccurate rainfall forecasts from the Korea Meteorological Administration. In response, K-water stated in an official position, "We plan to actively cooperate in analyzing the causes of flood damage and establishing countermeasures." However, they added, "Accurate cause analysis is essential to create proper countermeasures," and "Flood defense in the region is shared between dams and rivers, and since flood damage occurs due to complex factors such as embankment collapse and overtopping, a thorough joint investigation and cause analysis by related agencies is necessary." This implies that comprehensive investigation and analysis are needed as various factors, including dam discharge, Seomjin River embankment collapse, and drainage facility limitations, contributed to the flood damage.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Experts also hold the view that blaming the flood damage solely on K-water's dam discharge is excessive. Cho Won-chul, Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at Yonsei University, said, "K-water claimed to have followed the discharge manual, and if they did, the field operators are not at fault." He added, "It is the Ministry of Environment's responsibility to correct a faulty manual. If disciplinary or criminal penalties are imposed, it means only the field operators are being held accountable," criticizing it as 'scapegoating.' Professor Cho further said, "Attention should have been paid to the maintenance and management of river facilities such as embankments to prevent their collapse," adding, "This responsibility lies with the river facility managers." Park Chang-geun, Professor of Civil Engineering at Catholic Kwandong University, stated, "The flood control office, a public institution under the Ministry of Environment, decides the discharge volume," and "K-water can open dam gates only with approval from the flood control office." Professor Park argued, "Dam managers operate the dam under the flood control office's supervision following guidelines, so primary responsibility lies with the flood control office."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment announced plans to establish fundamental flood countermeasures looking ahead 100 years in response to climate change. However, the more urgent investigation into the flood prevention effects of the Four Major Rivers Project is being postponed. The recent heavy rain triggered controversy over the flood control effects of the Four Major Rivers Project, but the Ministry of Environment has maintained a passive stance. Although President Moon ordered an investigation and evaluation of the impact of the Four Major Rivers dams on the 10th, Minister Cho said at the briefing on the 17th, "We do not have a concrete plan regarding the flood prevention evaluation of the Four Major Rivers dams," adding, "Currently, the issue of damage caused by dam discharge is more serious, so we will first identify the cause of this problem and then start the evaluation at an appropriate time." The Ministry of Environment has expressed the opinion that "there is no flood prevention effect" based on investigation results from 2014, 2018, and last year.

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