Chungnam Governor Kim Taeheum: "Jicheon Dam Construction Is the Only Solution to Water Shortage"

Press Conference Held on the Morning of the 6th:
"An Absolutely Essential Project for the Next 100 Years"
"Full Support for Dam Construction Area... Creation of Relocation Complexes, Solar Power, Smart Farms, and More"

Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum stated regarding the construction of the Jicheon Dam, "This is an absolutely necessary project that will be responsible for the next 100 years," and added, "We will proceed properly in consultation with local residents so that it can become a key project driving regional development."

On the morning of the 6th, Governor Kim held a press conference at the provincial government press center and emphasized, "Chungnam is a region with chronic water shortages, and the construction of the Jicheon Dam is the only alternative to solve the water shortage problem."

He continued, "We will move forward while conducting sufficient consultations and discussions with local residents," and added, "We will form a consultative body with participation from both supporters and opponents among residents, as well as experts, and if necessary, gather residents' opinions through public surveys."

He further stressed, "By 2035, Chungnam is expected to face a daily water shortage of 180,000 tons," and said, "Through the construction of the Jicheon Dam, we will secure water sources, prevent disasters, establish tourism infrastructure, attract businesses, and expand national support, using this as a driving force for the development of Cheongyang and Buyeo."

In particular, he said, "We will spare no effort in providing full support to the Jicheon Dam construction area," and added, "We will actively support the creation of industrial complexes and the attraction of anchor companies, establish relocation complexes so that residents of submerged areas can live together in groups of 30 to 40 households, and actively support solar panel installation, smart farm creation, and land compensation to ensure residents' livelihoods."

He also stated, "We will establish a clean and stable livestock industry by modernizing livestock facilities and creating smart livestock complexes, and will develop and support plans to make tourist attractions such as observatories and suspension bridges into landmarks," adding, "With the revision of the Dam Construction Act Enforcement Decree, national support has increased from 33 billion KRW to 77 billion KRW, and the province will provide an additional 100 billion KRW in support."

Regarding the arguments of those opposing the Jicheon Dam construction, Governor Kim emphasized, "There will absolutely not be any designations of water source protection zones or restrictions on lodging, food service, or factory establishment," and added, "We will ensure through sufficient consultation with residents that no one suffers any harm."

Meanwhile, the Jicheon Dam is planned to be built with a storage capacity of 59 million cubic meters in Jangpyeong-myeon, Cheongyang-gun and Eunsan-myeon, Buyeo-gun.