Clarifying the Raw Water Cost Controversy
"It's Zero Won, But Misunderstood"
As Gangneung faces an unprecedented drought crisis, Mayor Kim Honggyu, who recently sparked controversy for failing to properly explain the 'raw water procurement costs' during a conversation with President Lee Jaemyung, appeared on a radio program to personally clarify the issue.
On the 1st, Gangneung Mayor Kim Honggyu is seen announcing drought response measures at the Disaster Situation Room of Gangneung City Hall in Gangwon Province. This is unrelated to the article. Photo by Yonhap News.
On September 3, Mayor Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyunjung's News Show' and said, "I've lived in Gangneung for over 60 years, but I've never experienced a drought like this," adding, "Although the inconvenience for citizens is severe, we will do everything we can to prevent a water outage."
Mayor Kim recently faced criticism for hesitating over the issue of 'raw water procurement costs' during a conversation with President Lee. Addressing this, Kim explained, "In Gangneung, we draw water directly from the river, so there are no raw water costs. I said there were no costs because there are none, but the President kept asking, which left me a bit flustered."
He continued, "I was about to say that the budget is solely for expanding our water purification plant, but I was interrupted and couldn’t finish my answer. If the question had been about the cost of bringing in raw water, I would have answered accordingly." He further explained, "About 2 billion won is allocated for intake facility pipeline construction, and the pipeline costs are separately set at 20 billion won in the report. The costs for raw water and for pipelines are different in meaning."
"I Tried to Be Persistent"... Clarifying His Request for Support
The appearance of Obong Reservoir, the water source, exposed with bare ground due to the worst drought. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Regarding his controversial remark that he "tried to be persistent" while requesting budget support, Mayor Kim explained, "Since the President is the nation's top decision-maker and head of administration, it is only natural to make strong requests for support. In that sense, I explained the budget for the water purification plant expansion project."
Currently, Gangneung is in the midst of an unprecedented drought crisis. Over the past six months, precipitation has totaled 387 millimeters, less than half the annual average, and the main water source, Obong Reservoir, has plummeted to a record-low storage rate of 14 percent. Since last month, a water restriction policy has been implemented, reducing water supply by 75 percent to each household. Gangneung City is considering timed or alternate-day water outages if the reservoir level drops further. At present, up to 400 water trucks per day are being mobilized to replenish Obong Reservoir, and emergency water supply from nearby purification plants has been expanded.
Mayor Kim said, "I am grateful to the many people across the country who have sent bottled water," and added, "We will overcome the pain of this drought together with our citizens and prevent a water outage."
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