Jeonbuk Province Proposes Government Special Measures for 'Dam Downstream Damage Compensation'

Governor Song Ha-jin delivers joint petition to Governor Kim Young-rok of Jeonnam and the Minister of Environment

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Jeonbuk Province, together with Jeonnam Province, has demanded a special government-level measure regarding compensation for downstream dam damage caused by the heavy rains last August.

Jeonbuk Governor Song Ha-jin and Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok met with Environment Minister Han Jeong-ae on the 2nd to deliver a joint proposal for an investigation into the causes of downstream dam flood damage from the heavy rains last August.

The heavy rains in August last year caused flood damage worth 216.9 billion won in nine cities and counties downstream of the Seomjin River Dam and Yongdam Dam, including Imsil County, Sunchang County, and Namwon City.

In this regard, the Ministry of Environment announced the "Downstream Dam Damage Cause Investigation Service" through the Flood Damage Cause Investigation Council on the 27th.

However, the investigation pointed out that the causes of the flood damage were not only due to poor dam management and operation but also due to poor river management by local governments, leading to strong opposition from the affected local governments and residents.

Accordingly, Jeonbuk Governor Song Ha-jin and Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok met with the Minister of Environment, the supervising ministry, to deliver a joint stance containing measures to quickly wipe away the tears of the flood victims.

In particular, they requested △ national compensation for flood damage to heal the wounds of flood victims △ maximum rapid compensation to help flood victims return to their daily lives as soon as possible △ special measures such as "integrated management of dams and rivers" and "national support for local river facilities" to prevent recurrence of flood damage, and prompt implementation.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment is reportedly preparing a public statement on the causes of the flood damage on the 3rd.

Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr