Chairman Lee Seongwoo:
"Residents with Real Interests Are in Favor"
Chungnam Province has emphasized that the Cheongyang Jicheon Dam, which is planned to be constructed in Jangpyeong-myeon of Cheongyang County and Eunsan-myeon of Buyeo County, is an essential project for solving water shortages and promoting regional development. It has been claimed that 90% of residents in the area expected to be submerged support the project.
The provincial government stated that once the Jicheon Dam is built, it will not only secure water resources but also regulate river water levels and prevent property damage, thereby providing residents with a safer living environment.
Additionally, by utilizing modern dam construction technology, the province plans to minimize environmental impact through ecosystem-conscious design and natural restoration efforts.
Chungnam Governor Kim Taeheum held a press conference at the provincial office on the 6th and announced his intention to promote the construction of the Cheongyang Jicheon Dam.
Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province, held a press conference at the provincial government office on the 6th, reiterating his commitment to the project by stating, "The Jicheon Dam is the only solution to the water shortage problem and a project that will be responsible for the next 100 years of Chungnam's future."
He added, "We will increase national funding from 33 billion won to 77 billion won, and the province will also provide an additional 100 billion won in support," emphasizing, "The era of forcing unilateral damage on residents is over. We will pursue dam construction with residents' welfare as the top priority."
The province plans to actively support the establishment of industrial complexes and the attraction of leading companies, and to provide additional support for solar power, smart farms, and land replacement projects to assist the relocation of residents from the submerged area.
Lee Seongwoo, Chairman of the Jicheon Dam Construction Promotion Committee, told Asia Economy, "We visited both Yeongju Dam and Bohyeonsan Dam, and the residential environment and tourism infrastructure were excellent. Over 90% of the 150 households, or 400 to 500 people, who will be submerged due to dam construction are in favor," adding, "Currently, many residents live in aging houses, and it is difficult to continue farming."
He emphasized, "If better housing conditions are provided through relocation measures, it could actually be a good opportunity for residents."
Regarding the opposition from environmental groups and some civic organizations who are concerned about environmental destruction from dam construction, he pointed out, "There was no opposition when large-scale golf courses and park golf courses were built upstream, but it is unfair to oppose dam construction, which actually improves water quality."
He further claimed, "Many of those who oppose the project are not directly related to the area to be submerged," and "Residents with real interests are in favor, while those opposing live 20 to 30 kilometers away from the submerged area."
The province expects that the Jicheon Dam will not only create jobs in the construction industry in the short term but will also contribute to revitalizing the tourism industry around the dam in the long term.
Furthermore, the Jicheon Dam, combined with Cheongyang County's natural scenery, can serve as both a water resource management facility and a tourist attraction. It is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy by developing various tourism resources such as leisure and sports activities and nature exploration.
Meanwhile, the Jicheon Dam is planned to be constructed with a storage capacity of 59 million cubic meters in the areas of Cheongyang County and Buyeo County. Chungnam Province aims to achieve sustainable water resource management and simultaneously revitalize the local economy and improve the environment through this project.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
