Jicheon Dam Opposition Committee Holds Rally in Front of Provincial Office... "Withdraw Jicheon Dam Construction Plan"
As opposition from residents of Cheongyang, Chungnam against the construction of the Jicheon Multipurpose Dam continues, Governor Kim Tae-heum has stated, "The construction of the dam is necessary and will proceed as planned."
During a department head meeting held on the 12th, Governor Kim emphasized, "The construction of the Cheongyang Jicheon Dam has been canceled three times due to opposition from environmental groups, but building the dam is essential to solve water shortages and flood damage."
He added, "The eastern region receives water from the Daecheong Dam, and the western region from the Boryeong Dam, but now both are at full capacity, raising concerns about water supply and drinking water issues, and making it difficult to attract businesses. It is unacceptable to bring water from other regions to a place like Cheongyang, which is known for its good mountains and water."
Governor Kim stated, "Regulations in the upstream area will be minimized by not designating it as a water source protection zone, and the province will spare no effort to maximize the region's economic benefits through tourism development and job creation."
Meanwhile, the Cheongyang Jicheon Dam Opposition Committee held a rally in front of the provincial government office on the same day, urging the cancellation of the Jicheon Dam project.
The committee argued, "The dam construction will not prevent flood damage, and due to various regulations, agriculture, livestock, and forestry will all suffer. The claim that tourism development will lead to regional growth and population increase is also a distortion of the facts."
They further emphasized, "Withdraw the Jicheon Dam plan that deprives us of water autonomy," and stated, "We will fight to protect the Jicheon Dam."
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