Chungnam Province Faces Difficulties Forming Cheongyang Jicheon Dam Residents' Council...Opposition Side Refuses to Participate

Administrative Limitations Exposed by Failure to Mediate Differences
Pushing Forward May Lead to Greater Conflict and Undermine Project Effectiveness

It has been reported that residents opposing the construction of the Cheongyang-Buyeo Jicheon Dam, a project promoted by South Chungcheong Province, have decided not to participate in the formation of the “Cheongyang-Buyeo Jicheon Dam Residents’ Council,” suggesting that the initiative will face difficulties from the outset.

On the 6th, South Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Tae-heum held a press conference at the provincial government office and proposed the formation of a residents’ council regarding the construction of the Cheongyang-Buyeo Jicheon Dam. Accordingly, the provincial government announced its plan to form a council to gather a wide range of opinions from local residents.

However, Kim Myungsook, co-chairperson of the South Chungcheong Jicheon Dam Opposition Committee, strongly objected, stating, “Cheongyang and Buyeo are not energy colonies for other regions,” and declared, “We do not believe the dam is necessary, so we will not participate in the residents’ council.”

She further argued, “Forming a residents’ council is merely an administrative procedure to push ahead with dam construction,” and claimed, “South Chungcheong Province is unilaterally promoting the council without properly reflecting the opinions of the opposition.”

She also expressed strong dissatisfaction, saying, “The plan to form the council by the 18th means they intend to proceed even without input from the opposition.”

Kim Youngmyung, Director of the Environment and Forestry Bureau of South Chungcheong Province, said at a press briefing on the 11th, “We plan to form the council to sufficiently gather opinions from both supporters and opponents,” and added, “We will continue to persuade the opposition committee to participate in the council.”

However, the opposition to dam construction maintains the position that “the Jicheon Dam is not needed in Cheongyang and Buyeo, and is intended to supply industrial water to other regions.”

Amidst these conflicts, questions are being raised about the provincial government’s response. Critics point out that the administration is revealing its limitations by unilaterally pushing forward with the council without mediating differences among residents.

Concerns are also growing that the government is pushing its policy without sufficient communication, especially given the lack of efforts to persuade local residents.

The Ministry of Environment announced on the 12th the candidate sites for “climate response dams,” including the Cheongyang-Buyeo Jicheon Dam as a subject for further discussion, which is expected to further intensify the conflict in the region.

If South Chungcheong Province pushes ahead with the council without the participation of the opposition, there are concerns that even greater conflict may arise during the subsequent dam construction process.

Although the provincial government plans to complete the formation of the council by the 18th, if the opposition does not participate, criticism is expected to continue regarding the effectiveness of the project as well as the legitimacy of a “half-formed” council.

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