Will a 'Seomjingang Basin Environmental Agency' Dedicated to Ecology and Environment Be Established?

Chairman Lee Hyun-chang, Leads Proposal Urging Establishment of Seomjingang Watershed Environmental Office

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Following the flooding damage caused by heavy rains last month in the Seomjin River area, resulting in enormous losses, the need to establish the 'Seomjin River Basin Environmental Agency' dedicated to management has emerged, and the Jeonnam Provincial Council has taken action.

Lee Hyunchang, Chair of the Economic, Tourism, and Culture Committee of the Jeonnam Provincial Council, announced on the 3rd, "At the 346th extraordinary session starting on the 8th, we plan to represent a proposal urging the establishment of the independent administrative organization 'Seomjin River Basin Environmental Agency,' which can exclusively manage the water system, environment, and ecological conservation of the Seomjin River."

Reviewing the proposal to be represented, it calls for the Ministry of Environment to establish the justification for creating the Seomjin River Basin Environmental Agency and actively consult with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which oversees government organization. It also urges the National Assembly to promptly amend related laws such as the Government Organization Act to enable the swift establishment of the agency.

Chair Lee explained, "Due to the construction of seven dams including the Seomjin River Dam in the upper reaches of the Seomjin River, about 240 tons of water per day is diverted to other water systems, causing a decrease in the flow of the Seomjin River, and the river's functions are gradually being lost."

He added, "Serious ecological changes, including salt damage, are occurring, but regrettably, the Yeongsan River Basin Environmental Agency located in Gwangju still manages the environment of the Seomjin River," emphasizing, "The Yeongsan River serves as a source of agricultural water, while the Seomjin River is a source of drinking water, so their functions and environmental values are fundamentally different, making the establishment of a dedicated agency a natural necessity."

He further stated, "Like the Yeongsan River, known as the lifeline of Honam, the Seomjin River is also a precious lifeline for residents of not only Honam but also Gyeongnam and other areas in the Seomjin River basin," and added, "The heartfelt wish of residents around the Seomjin River for the establishment of the Seomjin River Basin Environmental Agency has continued for decades and remains urgent."

Meanwhile, it is reported that voices demanding the establishment of an independent administrative organization for systematic management of the Seomjin River basin are growing louder, as environmental pollution of the Seomjin River has worsened recently due to large-scale industrial complexes such as the Yeosu Industrial Complex and Gwangyang Steelworks in the eastern region of Jeonnam.

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