Jeonbuk Province Expands Operation of 'Jeonbuk Water Forum'

Plan to Operate 28 Sessions... Research on Measures to Foster the Water Industry in Jeollabuk-do

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Jeonbuk Province announced on the 28th that it will expand the operation of the private-led ‘Jeonbuk Water Forum,’ established to raise private sector interest and develop solutions for regional water issues.

The Jeonbuk Water Forum consists of 46 local residents from various sectors, including experts, civic groups, and related organizations, with four co-representatives from both the administration and the private sector.

In particular, it is composed of the Policy and Planning Division, Conflict and Mediation Division, and Participation and Culture Division, and is currently in its third year of operation.

Until now, Jeonbuk Province selected the forum operating institution through public contests, but this year, to enhance expertise and continuity of the forum, the Jeonbuk Research Institute took the lead with significant private sector participation.

Additionally, with a project budget of 80 million KRW, more than two topics per division will be selected, planning a total of 28 sessions. This is an increase of seven sessions compared to last year's 21 sessions.

Main topics include △Measures to foster the water industry in Jeollabuk-do △Impact and countermeasures of opening the Geumgang Estuary Bank on Jeonbuk △Improvement plans for autonomous management of Yongdam Dam, among others.

Furthermore, the forum plans to conduct in-depth discussions by developing and reinforcing integrated water management response logic suitable for Jeonbuk conditions, such as commercialization plans for the Mankyung River Revitalization Project, with joint responses from the private sector, government, and academia, and linking with issues discussed last year.

Hong In-gi, Director of the Water Environment Management Division, said, “Discussing solutions to water issues with local residents has become an opportunity to re-recognize the importance of water,” and added, “Through the operation of the forum, we expect a social atmosphere where the private sector and government speak with one voice externally.”

Meanwhile, last year, Jeonbuk Province operated the Jeonbuk Water Forum to develop arguments on regional water supply needs such as △Securing flow for the Mankyung River △Water use plans for Yongdam Dam, which were utilized as response materials for watershed water management committees.

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