Yanggu County Welcomes Ministry of Environment’s Decision to Halt Suipcheon Dam Construction Plan

Yanggu County:
"The Will of the Residents Has Brought This Result...
We Hope It Will Never Be Repeated"

On September 30, Yanggu County in Gangwon Province expressed its welcome following the Ministry of Environment's announcement to halt the construction plan for the Suipcheon Dam as part of the 'Climate Response Dam' project, stating, "Our joint efforts to protect the residents' right to survival have finally borne fruit."

Aerial view of Yanggu County Office.

Since the Ministry of Environment announced 14 candidate sites for climate response dams, including the Suipcheon Dam in Yanggu, on July 30 last year, Yanggu County and its residents have consistently expressed strong opposition to the construction plan.

On the day of the announcement, Yanggu County Mayor Seo Heungwon immediately visited the National Assembly to convey his protest. Subsequently, the 'Yanggu County Suipcheon Dam Construction Opposition Committee,' comprising local residents and figures from various sectors, was launched on August 9 last year, further spreading opposition throughout the local community.

In particular, on August 12 last year, about 150 residents held a protest rally in front of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Provincial Office. On September 9, a 'Yanggu County Residents' Rally Against Suipcheon Dam Construction' was held at Yanggu Sports Complex, where more than 2,000 people participated, including a head-shaving ceremony to demonstrate their strong opposition. In October, a petition signed by 14,454 residents opposing the Suipcheon Dam construction was officially submitted to the Ministry of Environment and the Presidential Office, clearly demonstrating the unity of the residents.

After the launch of the new administration, Kim Seonghwan, then Minister of Environment-designate, announced a position to "fully reconsider the climate response dam plan," signaling a shift in the project's direction. However, Yanggu County and its residents continued to emphasize that a mere reconsideration or suspension was not enough, insisting on a "complete cancellation" of the project.

The Ministry of Environment's recent announcement to halt the construction plan is even more significant as it reflects the united voice of the residents.

Yanggu County Mayor Seo Heungwon stated, "It was the residents' unity and continuous response that made this decision possible. The suspension of the Suipcheon Dam construction plan is a meaningful result that has protected the right to survival of Yanggu residents, and I hope that no similar plans will ever be pursued again."

He added, "Going forward, we will continue to prioritize the voices of our residents and do our utmost to protect the environment, ecology, and the foundation of our residents' lives."

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