Cheongyang County: "Unilateral Push for Jicheon Dam Not Acceptable... Residents' Opinions Will Be Collected Fairly"

Emphasizing the Role of Mediator Following Ministry of Environment's Announcement on Reassessment of New Dam Construction

Cheongyang County Office Exterior View

Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province has once again clarified its position regarding the construction of the Jicheon Dam, following the Ministry of Environment’s announcement of the “Detailed Reassessment and Promotion Plan for New Dam Construction.”

The county reaffirmed its policy of “objectively and fairly collecting opinions from both sides and making a careful decision,” and stated on October 1 that it will faithfully fulfill its role as both mediator and manager in resolving conflicts.

The Jicheon Dam was included as a candidate site for new dam construction last year, which caused significant turmoil in the local community as opinions became sharply divided between supporters and opponents.

In response, the county maintained its position that it “opposes dam construction that causes unilateral harm to the region.” However, as the conflict became prolonged, there was a growing demand to resolve residents’ sense of harm and loss and to find practical solutions that would contribute to regional development.

The county compiled the demands and concerns of both sides into seven categories: ▲ concerns about designation as a water source protection zone ▲ regulatory and administrative sanctions ▲ damage from fog formation ▲ risk of embankment collapse if Daecheong Dam and Jicheon Dam are discharged simultaneously ▲ measures to address the loss of agricultural and livestock industry foundations ▲ prevention of ecosystem destruction ▲ fulfillment of government promises. These were submitted to the Ministry of Environment, but the county judged the countermeasures to be insufficient and officially announced in October last year that it “cannot support the construction of the Jicheon Dam.”

This year, the county continued its response by proposing concrete measures such as the installation of sewage treatment facilities in upstream areas to the Ministry of Environment, and by presenting regional development alternatives to South Chungcheong Province. The Ministry of Environment stated that “the decision on whether to proceed with the Jicheon Dam will be made after sufficient review of alternatives and public discussion with residents.”

County Governor Kim Dongon said, “If the county leans toward a particular stance, it will not help resolve the conflict,” and urged, “We ask residents to set aside confrontation, and to actively participate in a rational process of gathering public opinion based on understanding and respect.”

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