50 Years of Restrictions at Andong Dam Finally Lifted

Partial Lifting of 38km² Conservation Zone
Hopes Rise for Improved Property Rights and Living Conditions

Nearly 50 years after the completion of Andong Dam, regulatory restrictions on the natural environment conservation area that have long constrained the lives of local residents have finally been partially lifted. With the relaxation of long-standing land use limitations imposed for public interest purposes, observers say this marks a turning point for protecting residents’ property rights and improving local living conditions.

Andong Dam Regulations Held for Half a Century to Be Lifted, Some Parts of the Natural Environment Conservation Area to Be Released
[Photo by Andong City Hall]

The Andong City Government announced that its proposed amendment to the Andong Urban Management Plan, aimed at lifting the natural environment conservation area designation around Andong Dam, was conditionally approved during the third review by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Urban Planning Committee on April 17.

This decision is significant because, for the first time in half a century, it partially eases the restrictions that have designated 231.2 square kilometers, or 15.2% of the city’s total area, as a natural environment conservation area since the dam’s completion on April 10, 1976. Over the years, residents have faced major obstacles to land use and development, and many have experienced considerable inconvenience due to these wide-ranging regulations.

Under the new approval, 38 square kilometers—approximately 17% of the existing 231 square kilometers of conservation area—will be reclassified as green spaces and agricultural or forestry areas. This area is equivalent to about 5,300 soccer fields.

The Andong City Government expects that this measure will improve living conditions for residents who have suffered from excessive and prolonged land use restrictions, and will serve as a meaningful step in protecting private property rights.

This outcome did not happen overnight. To address the inconvenience caused by long-standing regulations, Andong City began conducting feasibility studies in 2013 and has steadily pursued the necessary procedures ever since.

However, the process was not without challenges. In 2019, a strategic environmental impact assessment resulted in a non-approval decision, causing the project to be suspended. The city then revised its plans to reflect supplementary recommendations, enduring significant setbacks along the way. The project regained momentum by passing subsequent reviews by central government agencies, including the Daegu Regional Environmental Office, the Korea Forest Service, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Even when the matter was submitted to the Gyeongsangbuk-do Urban Planning Committee in 2024, a decision for another review was made. Nevertheless, Andong City continued to coordinate with relevant agencies, resolving key issues through ongoing practical consultations and ultimately securing a conditional approval in this latest review.

However, the designation of “natural village districts,” which was excluded from this review, remains an outstanding issue. Andong City plans to quickly establish infrastructure expansion plans to prevent water pollution and accelerate efforts to further ease regulations and improve living conditions in densely populated village areas.

An Andong City official stated, “We are deeply grateful to be able to alleviate, even slightly, the inconvenience endured by local residents who have quietly sacrificed for half a century,” adding, “We will not stop here, but will also successfully complete the remaining tasks, such as the designation of natural village districts, to create meaningful changes that citizens can truly feel.”

This decision is significant not only as a simple land use change, but also as a measure that belatedly provides relief to residents who have long borne disadvantages under national water resource policy. As Andong Dam has faithfully served its role as a key national infrastructure, the authorities are now responding to calls to more equitably guarantee the rights and livelihoods of those who have continued to live in its vicinity.

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