Post-Corona, Overcoming with 'Water Management Green New Deal'... "Opportunity for Water Industry Growth"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Water sector experts gathered in one place to discuss the direction and implementation plans for the government's Green New Deal policy.

The four major domestic water-related academic societies?the Korean Water and Wastewater Works Association, the Korean River Association, the Korean Society on Water Environment, and the Korean Water Resources Association?jointly held the "Water Management Green New Deal Policy Symposium" on the 29th in Yeouido, Seoul.

Recently, the government announced the Korean New Deal policy to establish a leading economy and create jobs in response to the post-COVID-19 era. It consists of two main pillars: the Digital New Deal and the Green New Deal.

The Green New Deal is a policy aimed at transitioning to a low-carbon, eco-friendly economy through ▲green transformation of urban and living infrastructure ▲establishment of an innovative green industry ecosystem ▲spread of low-carbon and distributed energy. It is promoted with the goals of responding to climate change, creating jobs, and revitalizing the economy.

This symposium was conducted by analyzing the Green New Deal from the perspective of water sector experts and discussing policy suggestions and concrete implementation plans.

Yoo Jong-il, Dean of the Graduate School of International Policy at KDI (Korea Development Institute), gave the keynote speech explaining the changed domestic and international situations due to COVID-19 and the Korean New Deal, and introduced the Green New Deal promotion strategy.

Following this, the four major water-related academic societies and the Korea Water Resources Corporation delivered thematic presentations, followed by a free discussion.

Jeon Kyung-soo, President of the Korean Water Resources Association, presented on the topic "Desirable Water Management Green New Deal." He explained disaster response measures through smart water management technology and plans to establish an innovative ecosystem in the water industry.

Lee Chang-hee, President of the Korean Society on Water Environment, chose "The Meaning of the Green New Deal in the Water Environment Sector" as his topic. He proposed linking ecology, tourism, and economic revitalization through the restoration of river naturalness and reducing carbon emissions naturally through wetland restoration.

Park Chang-geun, President of the Korean River Association, reviewed the current status after the unification of water management and introduced the necessity of unifying river management departments and the "Integrated Water Demand Management" plan, including agricultural water demand management.

Gu Ja-yong, President of the Korean Water and Wastewater Works Association, presented prospects for efficiency improvement and job creation through the establishment of an AI-based smart water and wastewater management system.

Kim Byung-ki, Director of the Water Policy Research Institute at Korea Water Resources Corporation, explained the concept of water welfare under the theme "Korean New Deal and Water Welfare" and suggested ways to further expand water welfare through water management Green New Deal projects.

The subsequent free discussion was chaired by Professor Jang Seok-hwan of Daejin University, with participation from academia, the Ministry of Environment, and industry experts.

Jeon Kyung-soo, President of the Korean Water Resources Association, said, "With the promotion of the Green New Deal, the smartization of water infrastructure will accelerate, and water energy such as thermal energy will spread further," adding, "Significant changes are anticipated in the water sector, including growth in the water industry through startup cultivation."

He continued, "In preparation for the upcoming post-COVID-19 era, we will continue various discussions to derive economic recovery plans and reasonable policy directions through the water management Green New Deal."