Jindo-gun, Jodo-myeon Oebyeongdo Drinking Water Crisis Resolved

Improving Residential Conditions by Installing Water Supply Facilities Such as Groundwater Development

[Jindo=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Jae-kyung] The water supply issue on Oebyeongdo Island in Jodo-myeon, Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do has been resolved.

On the morning of the 10th (Friday) at 11 a.m., a water supply inauguration ceremony was held at the Oebyeongdo-ri pier.

About 120 people attended the ceremony, including Lee Dong-jin, the governor of Jindo-gun, Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment, Yoon Jae-gap, National Assembly member, Moon Geum-ju, Vice Governor of Jeollanam-do, Kim Hee-dong, Jeollanam-do council member, Park Geum-rye, chairman of Jindo County Council, and Song Hyung-geun, chairman of the Korea National Park Service.

The Ministry of Environment and the Korea National Park Service plan to invest 2 billion KRW by the end of the year to install solar power and establish water supply and sewage facilities for the residents of Oebyeongdo as part of a project to improve living environments in underdeveloped areas.

Starting with Oebyeongdo, they plan to support 37 remote island villages within the national park by 2026.

Oebyeongdo, a remote island, is located 18 km from Jindo Port and requires a 7-hour ferry ride from Mokpo Port. For over 50 years, residents have relied on water supply boats and rainwater to meet their drinking and daily water needs.

Lee Dong-jin, governor of Jindo-gun, said, “We are grateful to the Ministry of Environment and the Korea National Park Service for installing groundwater development and water supply facilities, a long-standing wish of Oebyeongdo residents. We expect this project to improve living conditions for residents and greatly contribute to eco-tourism.”

On May 5, 1968, the Chosun Ilbo published an article featuring a diary entry by grandmother Kim Ye-ja, born in 1951 and native of Oebyeongdo (then 13 years old), titled “I wish this island had never existed,” describing the hardships caused by water shortages and harsh living conditions.

Meanwhile, Jindo-gun plans to sign an MOU with the Korea National Park Service in the future and expand cooperation and investment in the project to improve living environments in underdeveloped park village districts, aiming to develop the island into a desirable place to live.