Environment and Labor Committee, 4 Major Rivers Project 'Battle'... "Fixed Price Increases Damage" vs "Sangju is Dry and Clean"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 20th, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the flood prevention effects of the Four Major Rivers Project at the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee.

Lee Won-young of the Democratic Party of Korea criticized the remarks made by Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, and former lawmaker Lee Jae-oh, who claimed at the Environment and Labor Committee meeting held at the National Assembly that "the Four Major Rivers have flood prevention effects," calling it "a story that ignores reality." He added, "We need to accurately identify the causes of how the dredged embankments and weirs from the Four Major Rivers Project have exacerbated flood damage and respond accordingly," and argued, "Former lawmaker Lee said the Four Major Rivers weirs do not obstruct water flow, but the 'fixed weirs' among the Four Major Rivers weirs, whose gates do not open, are essentially huge dams." Environment Minister Cho Myung-rae responded to the question, "Shouldn't there be a plan to dismantle the fixed weirs?" by saying, "We will review it comprehensively."

Im Eui-ja of the United Future Party emphasized the positive functions of the Four Major Rivers Project, saying, "My constituency, Sangju, remained 'dry and comfortable' despite the long rainy season and heavy rains," and "We have greatly benefited from the Sangju Weir. It definitely has flood control functions."

The ruling and opposition parties also criticized the attitudes of the Korea Water Resources Corporation and the Korea Meteorological Administration, which are engaged in a blame game over the causes of the floods. Lim Jong-sung of the Democratic Party said, "Residents affected by the flood say the flood occurred due to failure in dam water level control, but the Korea Water Resources Corporation is shifting responsibility to the Meteorological Administration, and the Meteorological Administration states that the forecast was based on the actual rainfall levels," adding, "They need to sincerely reflect on this."

Park Dae-soo of the United Future Party also urged Minister Cho Myung-rae to take responsibility and prevent recurrence, saying, "In a situation where the people suffer greatly from floods, passing the buck is very inappropriate."

There were also criticisms that the Ministry of Environment's response and preparation for rapid weather changes were insufficient. Yoon Mi-hyang of the Democratic Party pointed out that the dam management manual has not been revised for a long time and demanded, "Please establish periodic dam management standards in line with weather and climate changes."

Lee Jong-bae, policy chief of the United Future Party, pointed out that the Ministry of Environment delayed plans to prepare water-related disaster mitigation measures despite the enactment of the Water Resources Survey Act in 2017. He said, "The related budget of 1 billion won was only allocated in 2019, but even that was adjusted to about half, 470 million won, and the timing was delayed, with the service order only issued last October, showing procrastination," and questioned, "Is there no will to manage flood control?"

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