Kim Woong: "Dam Management Investigation Committee Composed of Pro-Government Figures... Losing Fairness and Objectivity"

11 Investigators and Others Participate in 49 Environmental Ministry and K-Water Research Projects
Including 6 Regular Members of Various Committees under the Environmental Ministry
"Excluding Local Residents... Investigation Committee Should Be Disbanded and Audit Requested from Board of Audit and Inspection"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Ministry of Environment's 'Dam Management Investigation Committee,' tasked with determining responsibility for dam discharge damage during the recent heavy rains, has been criticized for losing fairness and objectivity due to its composition of pro-government figures.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Environment to Kim Woong, a member of the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee from the People Power Party, on the 7th, 11 members of the Dam Management Investigation Committee and the preliminary investigation team participated in 49 research projects commissioned by the Ministry of Environment and Korea Water Resources Corporation.

It was found that six investigation committee members are regular figures already active in various committees under the Ministry of Environment, such as the Watershed Water Management Committee.

Chairman of the investigation committee, Professor Jang Seok-hwan of Daejin University, was a preliminary candidate for the Democratic United Party in 2012. He received a commendation from the President last year and has participated multiple times in the 'National Assembly Water Forum,' led by ruling party lawmakers.

Among the total 24 investigation committee members, there are also majors in pharmaceutical management and lawyers. This has been pointed out as not meeting the Ministry of Environment's recommendation criteria of "experts with over 10 years of research and practical experience in dam, hydraulic, sluice gate, river, and meteorological fields."

Additionally, Representative Kim criticized, "There is a concentration of expertise with 18 members majoring only in architecture and civil engineering, dominating the committee."

Residents of the affected areas reportedly oppose the Ministry of Environment, which holds overall responsibility for dam operation and management, forming the committee on its own.

Although the Korea Water Resources Corporation operates the dams, the discharge volume and duration must be approved and controlled by the Flood Control Office, an agency under the Ministry of Environment, leading to a situation described as "a thief investigating a thief."

Representative Kim stated, "The Minister of Environment said they would fully reflect the opinions of local residents, yet set self-serving standards that thoroughly excluded them," and criticized, "The committee was composed solely of pro-Moon and pro-Ministry of Environment figures, losing both independence and objectivity."

He added, "To accurately determine the causes and responsibilities of this flood damage, the Dam Management Investigation Committee must be immediately disbanded, and an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection should be requested."

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