Suncheon Dongcheon, Upgraded to National River Status

Published 29 Dec.2023 11:26(KST)

Direct National Management, Flexible Promotion of Key Projects

Driving Urban Ecological Corridors, Creating a Water City, etc.

Suncheon City in Jeollanam-do announced that the 13.3km section from the confluence of Dongcheon and Seocheon in Gagok-dong to the Namhaean in Daedae-dong has been selected for upgrade to a national river.

For the section designated as a national river, the government will directly manage it, which is expected to lead to more systematic river management through the establishment of a basic river plan, reinforcement of embankments, dredging of sediment, enhanced maintenance, and increased budget investment.

[Photo by Suncheon City]

With this upgrade to a national river, it is anticipated that Suncheon City's key initiatives to create an urban ecological axis and a water city will gain momentum. To this end, an organic cooperative system will be established with the Ministry of Environment, Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office, and Korea Water Resources Corporation.

Mayor Noh Kwan-gyu of Suncheon said, “The selection of Suncheon Dongcheon for upgrade to a national river is highly meaningful as it recognizes Suncheon’s ecological brand value, including the successful hosting of the 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo,” adding, “It is expected to play a leading role in expanding the ecological axis of Suncheonman into the urban area.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment, including Suncheon Dongcheon, resolved on the 27th to upgrade 20 major local rivers urgently requiring flood response to national rivers through the National Water Resources Management Committee. The upgrade of Suncheon Dongcheon to a national river is planned to be finalized through a Ministry of Environment announcement in early February next year.