Hapcheon County Council Passes Resolution Opposing Installation of Hwanggang Regional Water Intake Facility

Urgent Call to Immediately Halt Hwanggang Regional Water Intake Facility Installation Plan Proceeding Without Resident Consent

They strongly demanded the immediate halt of the water intake facility installation.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] On the 2nd, the Hapcheon County Council in Gyeongnam held the 266th extraordinary session and deliberated and resolved the “Resolution to Oppose the Installation of Hwanggang Regional Water Intake Facility Without the Consent of Hapcheon Residents,” proposed by Representative Lee Jong-cheol and 10 others.

Hwanggang, the lifeline and living ground of Hapcheon residents, is subject to various development project regulations due to total water pollution load control and its designation as a first-class natural ecological area.

If the Hwanggang regional water supply system is installed, regulations to supply clean water will be further strengthened, and it is obvious that the lives and survival rights of residents based on agriculture and livestock farming will be seriously threatened.

In the past, the project was withdrawn due to strong opposition from residents from 1994 to 1996 regarding the installation of the Hwanggang regional water intake facility.

In June last year, about 100 residents including former County Governor Moon Jun-hee visited the government complex in Sejong City and strongly demanded the immediate suspension of the installation of the Hwanggang regional water intake facility, which was being promoted without the consent of local residents.

Also, on June 24 last year, the Nakdong River Basin Water Management Committee deliberated and resolved the integrated water management plan for the Nakdong River, conditionally approving it on the principle of “seeking consent from residents in the affected and beneficiary areas through objective methods for the diversification of water intake sources before construction begins.”

However, expressing deep regret over the Ministry of Environment’s complete disregard of this and its push-through attempt that forces unilateral sacrifice on the weak through politics and power logic, the council announced a resolution urging the immediate suspension of the Hwanggang regional water intake facility installation plan, which is proceeding without residents’ consent.

Chairman Jo Sam-sul of the County Council said, “It was a meaningful meeting to widely publicize the justification for opposing the installation of the Hwanggang regional water intake facility,” and added, “We will do our best to deliver the resolution containing the strong will of Hapcheon residents to related institutions so that the residents’ intentions can be reflected in policy.”

Meanwhile, the resolution is scheduled to be sent to related institutions including the Presidential Secretariat, the National Assembly, the Minister of Environment, the Director of the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, Korea Water Resources Corporation, and the Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do.

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