Eunghee Woo, Elected Yeongam County Governor, Emphasizes 'Urgent Need for Permanent Drought Measures'

Visited Drought-Affected Areas with National Assembly Member Seo Samsuk to Hear On-Site Voices

[Yeongam=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Jae-kyung] Woo Seung-hee, the elected governor of Yeongam County, Jeollanam-do, visited the Yongsan-ri area of Haksan-myeon, which is at risk of damage due to the recent ongoing drought, on the 14th along with National Assembly member Seo Sam-seok, elected provincial council members Shin Seung-cheol and Son Nam-il, Yeongam County Council Chairman Kang Chan-won, and other elected county council members to inspect the site and listen to the difficulties faced by farmers.

This year, the cumulative rainfall in the Yeongam area is 161mm, which is only 58.9% compared to the average rainfall of 273mm, and it is expected that there will be difficulties in farming activities such as rice planting.

National Assembly member Seo Sam-seok said, “It is urgent to expand the budget for rural water management to prepare for repeated heavy rains and droughts caused by the climate crisis,” and added, “I will do my best to increase related budgets and national support.”

Woo Seung-hee, the elected governor of Yeongam County, said, “Securing agricultural water for rice planting is urgent, but drought countermeasures after rice planting are also necessary,” and stated, “As the frequency of droughts caused by climate change increases, water supply measures tailored to local conditions are essential. We will communicate and cooperate closely with farmers, Yeongam County, the Korea Rural Community Corporation, and related organizations to do our best to ensure a stable water supply.”

In particular, Governor-elect Woo emphasized, “Permanent measures such as installing a large underwater pump in Mangwolcheon near the Miam pumping station are urgently needed.”

Meanwhile, Yeongam County is making every effort to prevent drought damage by pre-inspecting wells and pumping equipment, identifying reservoirs with low water storage rates, and conducting pumping operations in preparation for drought.