Gangwon Provincial Council Water Management Committee Holds 'East Coast Sustainable Water Management Innovation Symposium'

Gangwon Presents Smart Water Management Roadmap
Focused Discussion on Building a Sustainable Water Management System

The Water Management Special Committee of the Gangwon Provincial Council (Chairman: Assemblyman Kwon Hyukyeol) is holding the "2025 East Coast Region Sustainable Water Management Innovation Symposium" on the 18th at the Gangneung Science and Industry Promotion Agency Auditorium (Yulgok Hall).

The Water Management Special Committee of the Gangwon Provincial Council is taking a commemorative photo after holding the "2025 East Coast Region Sustainable Water Management Innovation Symposium" on the 18th at the Gangneung Science and Industry Promotion Agency Auditorium (Yulgok Hall). Provided by Gangwon Provincial Council

Chairman Kwon Hyukyeol stated, "The drought in Gangneung in 2025 was a stern warning that revealed the structural limitations of our water management system," and emphasized, "In this era of climate crisis, it is impossible to respond with past standards such as 'compared to the average year.' There is an urgent need to shift toward a climate-adaptive integrated water management system."

He also added, "Policies must be designed with a focus on practical implementation on the ground," and expressed hope that "today's symposium will serve as a turning point for deriving actionable water management alternatives that reflect voices from the field."

The symposium brought together more than 300 participants, including Governor Kim Jin-tae, Chairman Kang Siseong of the Gangwon Provincial Council, members of the Gangwon Provincial Council and Gangneung City Council, as well as representatives from academia, administration, industry, civic groups, and organizations. The event aims to explore integrated and field-oriented water management systems in the face of recurring extreme droughts and heavy rainfall caused by climate change.

Three leading experts in South Korea's water management policy and technology delivered keynote presentations at the symposium.

Dr. Song Miyeong (Acting President of Gyeonggi Research Institute) presented on "Water Management Strategies for the East Coast Region in an Integrated Water Management System." Dr. Song, who holds a Ph.D. from Washington State University and was the first female vice president of Gyeonggi Research Institute, is recognized as an authority in the management of Han River basin water use charges and total water pollution load management.

In his presentation, Dr. Lee Taegwan (Professor of Environmental Science at Keimyung University) addressed "Water Resources Management and Conflict Resolution Strategies for the Namhan River." He proposed management strategies for the upper Namhan River Doam Dam basin and water use linkage strategies for the East Coast region, suggesting customized integrated water management directions for each region.

Dr. Lee, who previously served as a member of the National Water Management Committee, holds a Ph.D. from Tohoku University in Japan and is a leading authority in domestic water management research, having authored over 110 papers and 16 specialized environmental books.

He presented strategies for resolving basin-based conflicts through the efficient use of the Han River Basin Fund and blocking pollution sources around the Doam Dam.

Dr. Choi Gyeun (former President of Korea Water Resources Corporation and current candidate for President of Incheon Research Institute) presented on "Innovative Smart Water Management for the East Coast Region Integrating Surface Water and Groundwater."

Recognized as a pioneer of smart water management, Dr. Choi introduced the world's first digital water management system during his tenure at Korea Water Resources Corporation.

In his presentation, he outlined a roadmap for establishing a smart water management system, including integrated water circulation data for the Yeongdong region, including Gangneung, and AI-based demand forecasting.

The subsequent comprehensive discussion featured four experts representing administration, academia, and local councils.

Lee Jonggu, Director of Construction and Safety at Gangwon Province, explained the direction for establishing a province-level integrated water management control tower as the official in charge of water management policy for the provincial government.

Assemblyman Shim Oseop of the Gangwon Provincial Council (member of the Water Management Special Committee) stressed, "Water issues are matters of education and civic awareness," emphasizing the need for citizen participation in water-saving campaigns and the establishment of regional water circulation governance.

Professor Choi Chungik of the Department of Public Administration at Kangwon National University suggested that "failure in water management leads directly to social inequality," proposing the design of water management policies focused on protecting vulnerable groups.

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