Ministry of Environment to Evaluate and Investigate Flood Control Functions of Four Major Rivers' Dams with Private Experts

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The government is set to investigate the flood control functions of the Four Major Rivers weirs in response to recent damages caused by the monsoon season and heavy rainfall.

An official from the Ministry of Environment stated at a briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 12th that they are considering conducting a joint investigation involving private experts regarding the flood control functions of the Four Major Rivers weirs.

Flood-related tasks are divided between ministries: water management falls under the Ministry of Environment, while management of river facilities such as weirs is handled by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Accordingly, the relevant ministries, including these two, plan to collaborate with private experts to examine whether the Four Major Rivers Project has effectively contributed to flood control.

As nationwide damage occurred due to the recent heavy rainfall, both ruling and opposition parties as well as civic groups have been engaged in disputes over the flood control functions of the Four Major Rivers weirs.

In response, President Moon Jae-in stated, "This is an opportunity to empirically verify and analyze how much the Four Major Rivers weirs contribute to flood control," and urged, "I ask experts to conduct a thorough investigation and evaluation regarding dam management and the impact of the Four Major Rivers weirs."

The official added, "We will review the president’s directives and devise an empirical evaluation plan together with private experts," but noted, "No specific evaluation plan has been finalized yet."

Regarding claims that "if the Four Major Rivers Project had not been implemented, flood damage would have been much worse," the official responded, "It is difficult to definitively state that flood damage would have been significantly greater without the Four Major Rivers Project." He further explained, "Most of the recent flood damage occurred in tributaries, and the main stream sections of the Four Major Rivers had little flood damage even before the project."