Seoul City Conducts Comprehensive Inspection of 35 Rivers... Prompt Maintenance of Inconveniences and Hazards

Autonomous Districts, River Facility Management Agencies, External Experts Conduct Facility Inspections
Rapid Maintenance This Year, Completion by Next Year at the Latest

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is set to conduct a comprehensive inspection of 35 river facilities within the city. Amid increased demand for enjoying leisure activities close to home due to COVID-19, the goal is to improve living-area rivers by addressing inconveniences and hazards, creating an environment where citizens want to stay.

On the 10th, Seoul announced that from now until July 14, the city, autonomous districts, river facility management agencies, and external experts will jointly carry out a full inspection. The inspection targets six categories of facilities within 35 national and local rivers managed by Seoul. The six categories are ▲embankments and drainage channels ▲walking trails and bicycle paths ▲lighting, CCTV, and other electrical facilities ▲sports and other facilities ▲river outlets ▲stormwater discharge facilities.

Structures that prevent river flooding, such as embankments and drainage channels, will be checked for damage and water stagnation, which causes foul odors. Walking trails and bicycle paths used by citizens for leisure will be inspected for proper paving, and sports facilities will be checked for safety hazards. Lighting and CCTV will be verified for proper operation, and facilities prone to odor issues, such as river outlets and stormwater discharge facilities, will undergo focused inspections on odor causes and the condition of odor-blocking installations.

Seoul plans to immediately address urgent and minor issues within the first half of this year based on the inspection results, and complete repairs requiring prompt attention within the year. For larger-scale repairs or those difficult to complete this year, maintenance will be finished by next year at the latest, ensuring citizens can use the rivers without inconvenience by then.

Han Yoo-seok, Director of the Water Circulation Safety Bureau of Seoul, stated, “Along with the increasing demand for river use, citizens’ expectations for a pleasant river environment are also rising. We will continuously strive to provide citizens with beautiful rivers free of inconvenience.”

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