Chungnam Province and Cheongyang County Clash Head-On Over Jicheon Dam, Conflict Escalates

Province: "Support Already Promised and Budget Allocated"
County: "Final Decision After Reflecting Residents' Opinions"

Chungnam Province Deputy Governor Jungju Park held a press conference on the 18th and stated, "Chungnam Province will continue to prioritize listening to the voices of residents in all procedures related to Jicheon Dam and will prepare solutions based on facts and procedures." He emphasized, "Jicheon Dam is an essential project for the future of Chungnam," and added, "Cheongyang County Governor Dongon Kim must promptly announce an official position to avoid missing the timing for policy reflection." Photo by Byungryul Lee

The conflict between Chungnam Province and Cheongyang County over the construction of the Jicheon Dam in Cheongyang, Chungnam, is escalating into a direct confrontation. As the province and the county have each presented opposing positions, the controversy is intensifying.

Jungju Park, Deputy Governor of Chungnam Province, held a press conference at the provincial government press center on the 18th and refuted Cheongyang County's claim of "undecided support," stating, "The province and the Ministry of Environment have already indicated the direction of support through official documents and meetings."

He emphasized, "In May, the province sent an official letter to Cheongyang County stating that support for the county's proposed projects was possible, and in October last year, the Ministry of Environment also responded with a letter outlining the legal basis and funding plans. It is unreasonable to demand support without a basic plan."

Previously, Cheongyang County Governor Donggon Kim stated during a briefing on the 14th, "Jicheon Dam is not a project requested by Cheongyang County, but rather a national and provincial project aimed at resolving water shortages in northwestern Chungnam and responding to the climate crisis. Although we have repeatedly submitted residents' concerns and regional project proposals, support measures have not been finalized."

Governor Kim added, "We will collect public opinion based on the basic planning study and regional development measures, and then determine our final position."

In response, Deputy Governor Park explained, "The Ministry of Environment has amended the law to expand the budget for dam area improvement projects to 77 billion won, and the province has promised an additional 100 billion won in support. In the second supplementary provincial budget, 17.2 billion won was allocated for 14 Cheongyang County-related projects."

However, he noted, "Large-scale senior town development and the follow-up Live Together project were excluded due to incomplete procedures, but if Cheongyang County further develops these projects through its own studies and requests support, we will review and provide assistance."

He pointed out, "The Ministry of Environment has maintained from the beginning that 'the opinions of the county and its residents are the most important.' Cheongyang County must promptly announce its official position to avoid missing the timing for policy reflection."

He continued, "Governor Kim originally promised to announce a position in July, but has postponed it, saying, 'I will do so after the basic plan is completed' and 'I will follow the Ministry of Environment's policy.' I urge you not to rely on the central government for policy decisions, but to immediately clarify the county's stance."

He reiterated, "Chungnam Province will continue to prioritize the voices of residents in all procedures related to Jicheon Dam and will devise solutions based on facts and procedures," emphasizing, "Jicheon Dam is an essential project for the future of Chungnam."

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