Assemblyman Kim Hoe-jae, "Climate Crisis Drought Response Package Act" Introduced as Main Sponsor

Assemblyman Kim Hoe-jae Predicts Worsening Climate Crisis and Abnormal Weather

Establishment of Support System for Recycling Waste Heat Water from Industrial Process Development

Kim Hoe-jae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Yeosu City Eul in Jeollanam-do, on Wednesday the 17th, took the lead in proposing the 「Climate Crisis Drought Response Package Act」, which focuses on expanding the usage purposes of the watershed management fund and establishing a support system for recycling thermal discharge water from industrial processes.

Although recent rainfall has alleviated the concerns of residents in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, where water supply interruptions due to drought had been feared since last year, there are growing opinions that urgent measures are needed to address droughts, as extreme droughts are expected to become more frequent due to the climate crisis.

[Photo by Kim Hoe-jae]

However, the current 「Geumgang, Nakdonggang, Yeongsangang, and Seomjingang Watershed Act」 limits the use of the watershed management fund solely to water quality management, preventing its use for related measures in the event of droughts or floods.

Accordingly, through the amendment, Kim Hoe-jae expanded the usage purposes of the watershed management fund to cover overall water management, allowing it to be utilized for managing water resources such as domestic and industrial water.

Additionally, Kim Hoe-jae proposed a partial amendment to the 「Water Reuse Act」 to support the recycling of thermal discharge water used in industrial power generation processes.

Thermal discharge water from industrial power generation processes can be used as an alternative water resource in various fields.

While overseas countries are establishing systems to recycle thermal discharge water for power generation, South Korea currently lacks separate provisions for financial support under existing laws, leaving the foundation for utilizing thermal discharge water unestablished.

Through the amendment to the 「Water Reuse Act」, Kim Hoe-jae made it possible to provide partial subsidies and loans for those installing thermal discharge water reuse facilities, and established a support system to reduce water and sewage fees for those receiving treated thermal discharge water.

Kim Hoe-jae emphasized, “Abnormal weather due to the climate crisis is expected to worsen,” adding, “We must prepare bold countermeasures before it is too late.” He continued, “I will also do my best to prepare support measures for carbon neutrality in Yeosu, including its transition to a climate change leading city and hosting COP33 in Yeosu, to respond to the climate crisis.”

Meanwhile, on February 9, during the full meeting of the National Assembly’s Industry Committee, Kim stressed to Lee Chang-yang, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, the urgent need for fundamental measures to respond to drought. On February 15, he received reports from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the Ministry of Environment on plans to secure industrial water for drought response in the Yeosu-Gwangyang National Industrial Complex, continuing his legislative activities to prepare drought response measures for the climate crisis.

Yeosu = Choi Cheol-hoon, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy hss79@asiae.co.kr

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