Ministry of Unification: "Inter-Korean Liaison Office Communications Restored... Requesting Notification of North Korea Dam Discharges" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] On the 28th, the Ministry of Unification announced that "communications between the Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office have been restored, and the intention to send a notification to the North regarding flood damage prevention in the border area during the rainy season has been conveyed to the North."

On the same day, through the 'Notification on Measures to Prevent Flood Damage in the Border Area during the Rainy Season,' the Ministry of Unification stated, "In a situation where flood damage in the inter-Korean border area during the rainy season is a concern, this is a basic measure to prevent damage to the lives and property of residents in the border area," and added, "We requested the North to inform us in advance if they plan to release water in the future."

Furthermore, the Ministry of Unification said, "However, the North did not clearly express its stance on receipt and ended the call," and added, "At the same time, during the closing call on the military communication line in the West Sea area, the related content was also conveyed as a verbal notification."

This is analyzed as an effort to prevent situations such as residents in Paju and Yeoncheon areas of Gyeonggi Province having to evacuate urgently due to the North opening sluice gates of dams like Hwanggang Dam (called Yesonggang Dam in North Korea), as in the past, amid forecasts of heavy rain on the Korean Peninsula until the 30th.

The Ministry of Unification has counted six cases where the North released water from dams after prior notification, and in September 2005, September 2009, August 2012, and June-July 2018, unauthorized releases occurred, prompting the sending of notifications to the North.