Hwasun County Council to Visit Gwangju on August 8, Urges Installation of Floodgates at Dongbok Dam

Over 20 Participants Including Waterworks and Sewerage Office Representatives and Community Organizations

The Hwasun County Council in South Jeolla Province plans to visit Gwangju City Hall and the Gwangju City Council at 2 p.m. on August 8 to strongly urge Gwangju City to establish responsible flood prevention measures related to the installation of floodgates at Dongbok Dam.

Exterior view of Hwasun County Office.

According to the Hwasun County Council on August 6, this visit has been arranged in response to growing anxiety and concerns about damage among residents living downstream of Dongbok Dam, as torrential rains have become more frequent due to recent climate change.

In particular, the purpose is to demand that Gwangju City, which is responsible for managing Dongbok Dam, take responsible action to promptly implement fundamental safety measures such as the installation of floodgates, and to request active cooperation and joint response from the Gwangju City Council.

Oh Hyungyeol, Chairperson of the Hwasun County Council, stated ahead of the visit, "The anxiety and threats experienced by residents downstream of Dongbok Dam in the face of repeated torrential rain damage are beyond description," adding, "We will strongly demand that Gwangju City implement not just temporary solutions, but fundamental and sustainable measures as a matter of urgency."

Ryu Younggil, Vice Chairperson, said, "As the main authority responsible for managing the Dongbok Dam water source, Gwangju City must take a responsible stance and establish practical and proactive safety measures, including the installation of floodgates." He added, "Gwangju City Council should not view this issue as a simple regional conflict, but rather recognize it as a shared task for the safety of all and actively cooperate."

About 20 participants, including members of the Hwasun County Council, representatives from the Hwasun County Waterworks and Sewerage Office, and local community organizations, will attend the visit. They plan to meet with officials from Gwangju City Hall and the Gwangju City Council to convey the necessity of installing floodgates at Dongbok Dam and the urgency of establishing safety measures for downstream areas.

Meanwhile, the Hwasun County Council plans to use this visit as an opportunity to draw active and concrete cooperation from Gwangju City. Depending on the outcome of future consultations, the council will prepare additional countermeasures and continue to keep local residents informed about the progress.