Full-scale Launch of the Gyeonggi Eastern Region Water Source Management Area Damage Response Council
Jo Seongdae, Namyangju City Council Chairman: "Time to Take the First Step in Addressing Water Source Management Area Damages"
“Although it may be a small beginning, it is time to take the first step toward consultations to address damages in the water source management areas in order to correct unfairness and imbalance and realize the value of ‘Gongjon Gongyeong (共存共榮)’?coexistence and mutual prosperity.”
Jo Seong-dae, chairman of the Namyangju City Council, is cheering the vigorous start of the 'Gyeonggi Eastern Water Source Management Area Damage Response Council' at the council's appointment ceremony on the 25th. Photo by Namyangju City Council
Jo Seong-dae, Chairman of the Namyangju City Council, cheered the vigorous launch of the ‘Gyeonggi Eastern Region Water Source Management Area Damage Response Council’ at its commissioning ceremony and declared that the city and county councils of the eastern Gyeonggi region and the damage response council will take the lead in abolishing overlapping regulations in the Paldang water system.
The Gyeonggi Eastern Region City and County Chairpersons’ Council (Chairman Jo Seong-dae) held its 132nd regular meeting on the 25th at the meeting room of Yangseo-myeon Office in Yangpyeong County, attended by Chairperson Jo Seong-dae of Namyangju City Council, as well as the chairpersons of Yangpyeong County Council, Hanam City Council, Icheon City Council, and Yeoju City Council.
At this meeting, three agenda items were addressed, including the report on the results of the 131st regular meeting and the decision on the venue for the next regular meeting. Notably, following the regular meeting, the commissioning ceremony for the ‘Gyeonggi Eastern Region Water Source Management Area Damage Response Council’ discussed at the previous meeting was held.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the chairpersons of the Gyeonggi Eastern Region city and county councils, Lee Kyung-sook, Chairperson of the Welfare and Environment Committee of Namyangju City Council, and citizen representatives of the council. The event proceeded with △ viewing a video related to water source management areas △ awarding of commissioning certificates to the damage response council △ and a commemorative photo session.
Chairman Jo said, “Today, we have gathered to form and activate this council to realize the value of ‘Gongjon Gongyeong’?living together and prospering together. As a national responsibility to supply clean water to the people, residents of the eastern Gyeonggi region have endured pain and inconvenience for the past half-century.”
He continued, “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Paldangho water source protection area, which is 55 times the size of Yeouido. Unlike Seoul or the metropolitan area, our Han River basin surrounding areas still lack even basic convenience facilities, despite five changes of the landscape, revealing the harsh reality hidden in the shadows of regulations.”
Chairman Jo added, “Nevertheless, if we unite our passion and do our utmost to abolish the overlapping regulations in the Paldang water system, I believe we will surely achieve our goals. The Gyeonggi Eastern Region City and County Chairpersons’ Council will also make every effort to persuade the National Assembly and government and propose practical policy alternatives together with the residents.”
Meanwhile, the newly launched ‘Gyeonggi Eastern Region Water Source Management Area Damage Response Council’ consists of the chairpersons of seven city and county councils, a policy council made up of citizen representatives from each city and county, an advisory committee composed of legal and administrative experts related to water source regulations, and a working council responsible for publicity and practical support. Going forward, it plans to represent the rights and interests of residents affected by water source management area regulations in the eastern Gyeonggi region and take concrete actions to abolish these regulations.
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