Discussion on the ‘Hangang Watershed Fund’ for Mutual Prosperity in Upper and Lower Hangang Regions

'Chuncheon International Water Forum 2024' Held for 2 Days from the 26th
Theme of 'Water Rights and Water Distribution'... 25 Years of Reexamining the 'Hangang Watershed Act'

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on the 24th that the 22nd 'Chuncheon International Water Forum 2024' will be held from Thursday, September 26 to Friday, September 27 at the Chuncheon Sejong Hotel. The Chuncheon International Water Forum is hosted by the Chuncheon International Water Forum Association and sponsored by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Chuncheon City, and the Han River Basin Management Committee. As the first international forum in Korea focused on water, the Chuncheon International Water Forum has established itself since 2003 as a platform for discussions aimed at solving various water-related issues and proposing policies.

This year's forum will focus on the theme of 'Water Rights and Water Allocation,' featuring keynote speeches and presentations and discussions across 12 sessions to discuss ways for local communities to coexist through the establishment of water rights systems?the rights to use water from rivers and lakes?and principles for allocating limited water resources.

In particular, the keynote speech and the first session will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the 'Han River Basin Act,' established in 1999 to protect the water quality of the Han River Basin, which serves as a drinking water source. The forum will revisit the achievements and limitations of the Act and discuss improvements to the 'Han River Basin Fund' to promote coexistence between upstream and downstream regions.

The Han River Basin Fund was created to support residents of the Han River Basin area, designated as a water source management area and subject to various restrictions such as development limitations, and is used for resident support projects and water quality improvement initiatives.

The 'Water Use Charge' paid by the downstream areas (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon), which use Paldang Lake as a drinking water source, is allocated to the upstream areas (Gangwon) for water quality improvement through the Han River Basin Fund. From 1999 to this year, a total of 1.9764 trillion KRW has been distributed to Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.

An Jung-gi, Director of the Forest Environment Bureau of Gangwon Province, said, "On the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Han River Basin Act, we hope to reflect on the achievements and limitations of the Han River Basin Fund and discuss ways to ensure that benefits reach the residents through efficient allocation of water resources and funds."

Meanwhile, the 'Chuncheon International Water Forum 2024' will be broadcasted by session via the 'Chuncheon International Water Forum YouTube channel.'

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