Wonju City Establishes 5 New 'Sabangdam' Sites to Prevent Forest Disasters

Construction Starts in March, Completion by June Before the Monsoon Season

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Wonju City, Gangwon Province, is promoting a new sabangdam (check dam) construction project to prevent various forest disasters caused by landslides and debris flows flowing downstream due to localized heavy rainfall.

On the 20th, the city announced, "We will construct five new sabangdams in Hwangdun-ri, Sinrim-myeon; Gungchon-ri, Munmak-eup; Gwanggyeok-ri, Hojeo-myeon; Jupo-ri, Gwirae-myeon; and Dangan-ri, Buron-myeon."

The city plans to invest a total of 1.25 billion KRW this year, starting construction in March and completing the project by June.

For three sabangdams whose functions have weakened due to soil and debris outflow, an external inspection will be conducted to investigate internal cracks and subsidence of the sabang facilities.

Park Won-ho, head of the Forestry Division, said, "We will complete the project before the rainy season to minimize damage caused by heavy rainfall."

Meanwhile, Wonju City currently manages 99 sabangdams, mainly in landslide-prone areas.