Muju-gun Accelerates Calculation of Compensation for Damage from Yongdam Dam Discharge

Estimating Damage at 8.1 Billion... Providing Maximum Support to Complete Compensation

[Muju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Muju County announced on the 8th that it is actively supporting residents affected by the Yongdam Dam discharge to receive appropriate compensation.

According to the county, from August 7 to 9 last year, a maximum discharge of 2,900 tons from Yongdam Dam caused severe damage to farmland, crops, buildings, and facilities in the downstream areas of Muju-eup and Bunam-myeon.

To help residents overcome difficulties in securing evidence of damage, Muju County designated responsible public officials for each village from February to March, providing various support measures such as on-site inspections and assistance with document preparation to secure damage data.

In particular, after selecting a professional loss assessor in March and conducting damage investigations through interviews with residents and assessments of the affected areas from April to June, the county estimated the damage scale at 287 households, 570 cases, totaling approximately 8.1 billion KRW.

Residents selected three representatives through the Damage Countermeasure Committee meeting and applied for mediation to the Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee on August 13 based on the loss assessment data.

The Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee is the institution that finalizes the compensation amount.

At the non-face-to-face Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee meeting held on the 3rd regarding the Yongdam Dam downstream discharge damage, a video conference was conducted at the House of Traditional Culture, where damage resident representatives and respondents (Ministry of Environment, Korea Water Resources Corporation) gave statements on the environmental dispute case for about two hours.

Going forward, the final compensation amount is expected to be determined through individual interviews with resident representatives and a second Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee meeting.

Additionally, an additional loss assessment investigation will be completed in November and further submissions will be made to the Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee.

Hwang In-hong, Muju County Governor, said, “The difficulties of residents who have suffered from prolonged COVID-19 and water damage are increasing. We will do our utmost to promptly complete compensation for the exhausted and struggling affected residents.”

Muju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr

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