Geumgang Water Management Committee: "Sejongbo Dismantling, Partial Dismantling of Gongjub, Baekjebo Should Be Preserved"

Deliberation and Resolution on Submission of Opinions for the Management Plan of the Three Geumgang Weirs
National Water Management Committee Conducts Comprehensive Review → Final Plan Decision

Four Major Rivers Sejong Weir

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Geum River Basin Water Management Committee deliberated and resolved the submission document on the treatment plans for the three Geum River weirs: Sejong Weir, Gongju Weir, and Baekje Weir on the 25th.

This follows the request from the National Water Management Committee for the basin water management committees to submit review opinions regarding the "Proposed Treatment Plans for Geum River and Yeongsan River Weirs" announced by the Ministry of Environment's Four Major Rivers Investigation and Evaluation Planning Committee in February last year.

The Geum River Basin Water Management Committee is affiliated with the National Water Management Committee under the President's office, with Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae and Senior Research Fellow Lee Sang-jin of the Chungnam Research Institute serving as co-chairpersons. It consists of a total of 42 members, including 19 ex officio members and 21 appointed members.

The Geum River Basin Water Management Committee has held over 30 discussions, including weir treatment plan briefings, hearings of opinions from related local governments, and full committee meetings. Based on these, the committee gathered members' opinions and drafted the submission document on the weir treatment plans, which was then deliberated and resolved.

First, for Sejong Weir, the proposal is for dismantling, but the timing of dismantling is to be decided considering the outcomes of the natural restoration pilot project and regional conditions. The plan suggests actively promoting projects for natural restoration in the future and deciding the dismantling timing based on visible results and consensus among residents.

For Gongju Weir, partial dismantling is proposed, with the timing of partial dismantling to be decided by keeping it open at all times while considering regional conditions.

However, it is premised that if partial dismantling causes adverse effects on water use or the environment, improvement measures should be established. The timing of partial dismantling is proposed to be decided by operating it as currently open at all times and sufficiently considering the opinions of local governments and residents in the weir section.

For Baekje Weir, based on long-term monitoring results, an option to keep it open at all times was proposed, considering economic analysis, safety, water quality and ecology, and regional perception. It was added that when the weir is kept open at all times, water use measures need to be implemented, and continuous monitoring of green algae and water pollution as well as publicity to change residents' perceptions are necessary.

The final decision on the treatment plans for the three Geum River weirs, along with the two Yeongsan River weirs (Seungchon Weir and Juksan Weir), is planned to be made by the National Water Management Committee within this year. After receiving opinions from the Geum River Basin Water Management Committee and the Yeongsan and Seomjin River Basin Water Management Committee meeting scheduled for the 28th, the committee will comprehensively review related issues discussed so far and decide on the final treatment plans.