Assemblyman Seodongyong Urges Compensation for Flood Damage in Jeonnam Region

Direct Cause of Flood Damage Is Korea Water Resources Corporation's Dam Operation Failure
Ministry of Environment Urges Formation of Dam Management Investigation Committee and Requests Audit from Board of Audit and Inspection
Prime Minister Jeong Se

Immediately after the press conference, a group of Jeonnam National Assembly members visited Lee Nak-yeon, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to deliver a statement containing their opinions on compensation for residents in the affected areas.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Seo Dong-yong, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and National Assembly member for Jeonnam Suncheon-si, Gwangyang-si, Gokseong-gun, and Gurye-gun, urged Korea Water Resources Corporation and others to promptly compensate for damages related to the heavy flooding in Jeonnam last month.

On the 15th, Democratic Party National Assembly members from Jeonnam held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office to express their stance on the follow-up measures by related agencies after the flooding caused by last month’s heavy rain. They demanded an apology and compensation from Korea Water Resources Corporation, a prompt investigation by the Ministry of Environment’s Dam Management Investigation Committee, an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection, and appropriate measures based on the results.

The press conference was attended by Seo Dong-yong, Lee Gae-ho, Chair of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, Kim Seung-nam, Kim Hoe-jae, So Byung-chul, Yoon Jae-gap, and Joo Cheol-hyun, all National Assembly members.

The Jeonnam National Assembly members unanimously stated that due to the current resurgence of COVID-19, volunteer and recovery manpower have not been smoothly deployed, and with increasing damage to crops and livestock, the issue has escalated beyond the livelihood of local residents to threaten the very existence of the regional economy.

Despite multiple warnings from the Korea Meteorological Administration at the time, Korea Water Resources Corporation did not take preemptive measures such as pre-release of water. Only after the dam water levels rapidly rose did they belatedly release a large volume of water?more than four times the previous day’s amount?in a short period, which they claim directly caused the worsening of the flood damage.

They pointed out that over the past five years, Korea Water Resources Corporation earned over 100 billion won in revenue from supplying domestic and industrial water at dams such as the Seomjin River Dam, Jangheung Dam, and Juam Dam. The dam management operation method, which prioritizes water use (利水) over flood control (治水) for the corporation’s profit, ultimately endangered the safety and lives of residents.

The Jeonnam National Assembly members demanded that Korea Water Resources Corporation, as the direct cause of the flood damage, take responsibility by sincerely apologizing and adopting a responsible stance including compensation for the affected residents.

They also demanded that the Ministry of Environment complete the formation of the Dam Management Investigation Committee, promptly announce the results, take appropriate measures, and call for comprehensive institutional improvements in the current water management unification policy.

Seo Dong-yong said, “With less than a month until Chuseok, the recovery is slow, and the spread of COVID-19 has deepened the sense of loss among local residents,” adding, “In this situation, it is very wrong for all related agencies to evade responsibility.”

Seo stated, “Although the Ministry of Environment said it would conduct a thorough investigation after the flood, the investigation committee has not yet even been formed,” and insisted, “The government must urgently conduct an investigation without any doubt and take appropriate measures based on the results.”

Meanwhile, immediately after the press conference, the Jeonnam National Assembly members collectively delivered a statement containing opinions on compensation for affected residents to Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, requesting cooperation between the party and government.

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