Environment Minister Kim Seonghwan Reaffirms Four Major Rivers Restoration: "Fundamentally, Water Should Flow"

On August 4, Minister of Environment Kim Seonghwan once again expressed his commitment to the "restoration of the four major rivers," stating, "Fundamentally, I believe water should flow."

During a meeting with reporters at the Government Complex Sejong that afternoon, Minister Kim said, "However, the decision to demolish (the weirs) is not something I can make alone. We will discuss this matter through public debate. I hope there will be no misunderstandings."

He explained, "The restoration of the four major rivers is a pledge made by President Lee Jaemyung. During the Moon Jaein administration, the promise was to demolish the Sejongbo and Gongjubo weirs and keep the Baekjebo weir permanently open. For the Yeongsan River, the promise was to open the Seungchonbo weir and demolish the Juksanbo weir."

He continued, "What I promised those (environmental groups) at Sejongbo was that the weir would be kept permanently open, but the demolition decision is not mine to make alone and should be discussed publicly. I asked if they could end their sit-in, considering this understanding."

Previously, on July 24, Minister Kim had conveyed to environmental groups demanding the demolition of the Sejongbo weir on the Geum River that the sluice gates would not be closed in the future.

Regarding the current progress of the 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (2035 NDC) for greenhouse gas reduction, he said, "We originally planned to establish it by February this year, but due to the period of martial law and insurrection, we did not have the capacity to do so, so it has effectively been postponed to the next administration. Now that I am the minister in charge, we are currently working on various practical tasks for the 2035 NDC. It has not yet been finalized."

Minister Kim said, "An even more urgent task is how to achieve the 2030 NDC. I believe this is a more important issue. Soon, we will finalize the evaluation of the 2030 NDC and the proposal for the 2035 NDC, and proceed with inter-ministerial consultations and public debate. I understand that the National Policy Planning Committee will organize the main direction of the Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Commission and provide us with feedback. Taking that into account, we will consult with the committee and work to improve the system of the Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Commission."

Regarding the establishment of the Ministry of Climate and Energy, he said, "At the level of the National Policy Planning Committee, I understand that they have their own reorganization plan for the five-year government restructuring under the Lee Jaemyung administration and are consulting with the Presidential Office."

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