Yangjicheon and Nongsocheon Restoration in Cheongyang Stalled as National Funding Delayed

Restoration Plan Worth 49.5 Billion Won Prepared, but Government Support Remains Uncertain

Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province has begun restoration work on Yangjicheon (Ungok-myeon) and Nongsocheon (Daechi-myeon), which suffered significant damage from heavy rainfall. However, the county is facing difficulties in pushing forward with the project because national funding has not yet been allocated. Despite the need for maintenance in these areas being pointed out since 2018, repeated damage continues due to a lack of budget support over the years.

According to the county on August 4, torrential rains in mid-July caused a total of 2.4 billion won in damages around Yangjicheon and Nongsocheon, including embankment collapses, flooded homes, and buried farmland.

At Yangjicheon, 832 meters of embankment collapsed and a house was partially destroyed. At Nongsocheon, 1,160 meters of embankment were lost, three houses and two greenhouses were flooded, and 6.82 hectares of farmland were buried.

To prevent the recurrence of disasters, the county has established a comprehensive restoration plan totaling 49.5 billion won?27.9 billion won for Yangjicheon and 21.5 billion won for Nongsocheon?and has requested national funding from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The restoration plan includes fundamental structural improvements such as embankment repairs and riverbed widening, bridge reconstruction, and maintenance of drainage facilities and drop structures.

In particular, both streams have repeatedly been identified as risk areas in the 2018 "Comprehensive Small Stream Maintenance Plan" and the 2023 "Comprehensive Natural Disaster Reduction Plan." In a recent evaluation by the Central Joint Investigation Team, Yangjicheon scored 82.48 points and Nongsocheon 78.73 points, both exceeding the national funding priority threshold of 75 points.

However, as government budget allocation has not yet been finalized, it remains uncertain when full-scale restoration work can begin. The county is currently using reserve funds to proceed with restoration design while also expediting administrative procedures to secure national funding.

A county official stated, "Both streams have repeatedly suffered flood damage in the past," and added, "It is impossible for the local government to handle such large-scale maintenance projects with its own finances alone, so prompt budget support from the central government is essential."