Public and Private Sectors Join Forces to Restore Yangyang Namdaecheon, the "Home of Salmon"... Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Agreement

Gangwon Province to Remove Aging Weirs on Yangyang Namdaecheon
SK hynix and Ministry of Environment Join Forces for Ecological Restoration
Yangyang Namdaecheon Aquatic Ecosystem Continuity Restoration Project Begins in Earnest

On the afternoon of May 7, 2026, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province signed the "Yangyang Namdaecheon Aquatic Ecosystem Continuity Restoration Project Joint Implementation Memorandum of Understanding" at the SK hynix headquarters, together with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, Yangyang County, SK hynix, Korea Water Resources Corporation, and Korea Environment Corporation.

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province signed a joint implementation memorandum of understanding for the "Yangyang Namdaecheon Aquatic Ecosystem Continuity Restoration Project" on the afternoon of the 7th at the SK hynix headquarters, together with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, Yangyang County, SK hynix, the Korea Water Resources Corporation, and the Korea Environment Corporation. Provided by Gangwon Province

The signing ceremony was attended by Hanseung Keum, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; Gwangrae Kim, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province; Dongsoo Tak, Deputy Governor of Yangyang County; Byungki Lee, President of SK hynix; Seokdae Yoon, President of Korea Water Resources Corporation; and Sangjun Lim, President of Korea Environment Corporation, all of whom formalized their commitment to advancing the project.

Some weirs on the Namdaecheon in Yangyang have hindered fish migration, resulting in the death of migratory species such as salmon during the spawning season, and have demonstrated limitations in maintaining the continuity of the aquatic ecosystem.

In particular, as the need to respond to climate change and water crises grows, there has been a call to strengthen public-private cooperation to restore biodiversity and establish a sustainable water circulation system.

This project focuses on restoring the river's flow and securing fish migration routes by removing or improving aging weirs through corporate funding.

In addition, plans are in place to create an eco-friendly environment linked to resident-friendly waterfront spaces in order to enhance the region's ecological value and usability, with ongoing maintenance and management to continue through 2037.

By institution, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment is responsible for setting the basic direction of the project, overseeing operations, and certifying water restoration volumes. Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and Yangyang County will provide administrative support such as permits and approvals, delegate project implementation, take over and manage facilities after completion, and handle monitoring and public relations.

SK hynix will fully fund the project costs necessary for preliminary investigations, design and construction, and maintenance, and will also cooperate in utilizing the restored water and sharing project outcomes.

Korea Water Resources Corporation will be responsible for calculating restored water volumes and providing technical support, while Korea Environment Corporation will oversee design, as well as the commissioning and supervision of construction.

Through this agreement, the natural state of the river's aquatic ecosystem is expected to be restored, and the habitats of migratory species such as salmon, sweetfish, and hwanggeo will be improved. Further ripple effects are anticipated, including the revitalization of eco-tourism, contributions to the local economy, and expanded participation by companies in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.

Gwangrae Kim, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "This agreement marks a meaningful starting point for public-private cooperation in responding to the climate crisis and water issues. We will do our utmost to restore the Namdaecheon in Yangyang as a sustainable ecological river so that we can pass on a healthy environment to future generations."

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