40 Billion Won Invested for Disposal of Trash Washed Away by Heavy Rain in Han River and Geum River

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The government will provide 4 billion KRW from the watershed fund to local governments near the Han River, Geum River, Yeongsan River, and Seomjin River, where a large amount of waste flowed in due to recent heavy rains.

The Han River, Geum River, and Yeongsan River·Seomjin River Watershed Management Committees decided on the 23rd to additionally support 4 billion KRW from the watershed fund for waste transportation and disposal to local governments where floating waste sharply increased due to record-breaking heavy rains this year. The Four Major Rivers Watershed Management Committee is chaired by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Environment and consists of local governments and related institutions from each watershed.

According to the Ministry of Environment, the amount of waste processed in the Han River is expected to increase by 21,365 tons (215%) compared to the previous year, Geum River by 10,903 tons (406%), and Yeongsan River·Seomjin River by 669 tons (168%).

The watershed fund is planned to be allocated to the relevant local governments and institutions before Chuseok. This decision was made considering that failure to promptly process floating waste could adversely affect the quality of drinking water sources.

Specifically, regarding support by watershed, 2.2 billion KRW will be provided to 12 cities and counties including Gapyeong-gun and Yeoju-si in Gyeonggi-do, Hwacheon-gun and Yanggu-gun in Gangwon-do along the Han River.

For the Geum River, 1.6 billion KRW will be allocated to six cities and counties including Okcheon-gun and Boeun-gun in Chungbuk, and Geumsan-gun in Chungnam, and for the Yeongsan River·Seomjin River, 130 million KRW will be assigned to three cities and counties including Suncheon-si and Boseong-gun in Jeonnam.

Hong Jeong-gi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Environment, said, "I hope this support will help the flood recovery in the upstream areas suffering from the heavy rains," and added, "We will continue to strengthen efforts to improve drinking water quality and support watershed residents."

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