Mayor Byungsoo Kim: "Era of Management, Not Neglect, for Han River Estuary... Opening a Waterway of Coexistence"

Gimpo Hosts Policy Discussion on Utilizing Han River Estuary Waterways
Experts Highlight the Need for Management and Economic Value of the Estuary
Citizens Call for New Models to Make Use of the Han River and the Sea

A policy discussion was held in Gimpo to explore new possibilities for the Han River Estuary, which has long been a treasure trove of natural resources and the economic center of the Korean Peninsula.

Mayor Byungsoo Kim is participating in a policy discussion with citizens. Photo by Gimpo City

At the “Citizen Participation Policy Discussion for the Revitalization of Han River Estuary Waterways,” experts highlighted the ecological and economic value of the Han River Estuary, as well as the potential for cultural utilization and enhanced national competitiveness following the opening of the waterway. Participating citizens emphasized that the Han River Estuary, which has so far been approached only from a national security perspective, should now be restored and revitalized from the standpoint of coexistence and utilization.

On November 7, Gimpo City held the policy discussion at the first-floor multipurpose auditorium of Modam Library in Unyang-dong, with around 150 Gimpo citizens in attendance, to explore new ways to utilize the Han River Estuary.

This policy discussion, initiated by Mayor Byungsoo Kim’s strong commitment to branding Gimpo’s resources and building the city’s future competitiveness, marks a significant first step in objectively examining Gimpo’s greatest asset-the Han River Estuary-by bringing together experts, citizens, and local government. If the Han River waterway is opened and revitalized, it is expected not only to increase Gimpo’s economic value but also to significantly reshape the economic landscape of Korea’s western region.

In his opening remarks, Mayor Byungsoo Kim stated, “Gimpo has lived with the Han River as its backdrop, but access was blocked by barbed wire. Now, however, the barriers have been removed and the river has been fully returned to the citizens. There is a growing need to properly manage and preserve the Han River, which has been neglected for so long. We are now in an era that requires the management of waterways, shipping routes, and rivers. The restoration of the Han River Estuary is directly linked to the sustainability of the entire metropolitan area, and it will transform Gimpo’s future economy and the quality of life for its citizens. We aim to view the Han River Estuary not just as a boundary, but as a ‘space of connection,’ opening a ‘waterway of coexistence’ where ecology, flood control, culture, tourism, and everyday life come together. The waterway we will open together will become a new path for exchange, and Gimpo will transform into a world-class waterfront cultural city where economy, culture, and ecology converge along the waterway. The city will emerge as a key player in opening new paths for cooperation and mutual growth among the region, the metropolitan area, and the Korean Peninsula.”

On this day, Samhee Lee, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology and Technical Advisor to the Han River Basin Environmental Office, gave a presentation on the “Current Status and Management Measures of the Han River Estuary.” Professor Baek Kyungo of Hankyung National University discussed nature-based solutions for managing the Han River Estuary.

During the subsequent panel discussion, Yongseok Lee, Chair of the Planning Subcommittee of the Han River Basin Water Management Committee, served as moderator, while Samhee Lee, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Professor Baek Kyungo of Hankyung National University, Myungchul Yoon, Vice President of the Korea Maritime Policy Association, and Jaehyun Ahn, Professor at Seokyeong University, shared their insights on management strategies for the Han River Estuary.

Experts commented, “We have visited many local governments, but there are few places that manage things as Gimpo does. Gimpo is leading the way,” and added, “We need to view Gimpo from a global perspective. As a city at the intersection of river and sea, Gimpo should be considered from a macro perspective.”

They also stated, “Restoring the functions of the Han River Estuary is a symbolic starting point. The mayor’s determination to create a space where people and nature coexist has led to this policy discussion. The Han River Estuary issue should be promoted as a public asset policy for the entire country, not just for Gimpo. This is an opportunity to open a new future where the Han River and people coexist along the future waterway of the Han River Estuary.”

Mayor Byungsoo Kim actively participating in the policy debate. Provided by Gimpo City

After the presentations, citizens participating in the discussion raised questions about the need for institutional changes to allow Gimpo, located at the geopolitically crucial junction where the Han River, Imjin River, and Yeomha River meet, to open the Han River Estuary waterway, as well as the necessity of pilot projects for utilizing the estuary in line with its geopolitical significance.

One citizen strongly asserted, “Gimpo citizens have always seen the Han River Estuary flowing before their eyes, yet have never been able to use its waterway. Now, I believe Gimpo should create a model for water transportation, tourism, and ecological coexistence based on its geopolitical location at the Han River Estuary. If the region leads the way in opening the waterway, the government should support it with policy.”

Additionally, citizens voiced the need to reconsider the location of the movable weir at Singok Underwater Weir or to install an additional navigation gate on the Gimpo side from the perspective of fisheries and water activities. They also stressed the urgent need for government-level measures that can balance environmental conservation and flood control, given the risk of levee collapse.

Given the variety of opinions expressed and the clear aspirations of citizens at the discussion, the city plans to establish a “Han River Estuary Waterway Network” involving experts, citizens, and local government. Through this network, Gimpo aims to gradually implement plans to vitalize the Han River Estuary’s waterfront culture in ways tailored to the city. In particular, the city intends to focus on key projects such as removing barbed wire from the Han River Estuary, transforming Baekmado into a park, creating a natural ecological park on Han River Estuary Dokdo, and improving the function of the Singok Underwater Weir (including the installation of a navigation gate).

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