"Journey of Water" Seminar Held Under the Theme of the 2025 Healthy Water Discovery Campaign

Shim Hakseop, CEO of Jinhaeng Waterway:
"Korea Should Raise Tap Water Consumption Rate Above 80% to Reach Advanced EU Standards"

The "Journey of Water" seminar, held under the theme of the 2025 Healthy Water Discovery Campaign, concluded successfully on September 3, 2025, at the Korea Press Center International Conference Hall, with over 300 participants in attendance.

The "Journey of Water" seminar was organized by the Korea Institute for Innovation Strategy Foundation and the Healthy Water Discovery Living Lab Preparatory Committee, and sponsored by the Korea Water Forum, Green Future Environment Foundation, National Green Technology Research Institute, Incheon Green Environment Support Center, EcoNow, and Jin Haeng Waterway Co., Ltd.

A representative from the Healthy Water Discovery Living Lab Preparatory Committee stated, "This event was organized to establish awareness of water as the foundation of life, to gather expert opinions from various fields in order to restore public health through the supply of healthy water, and to realize the resource utilization of water."

In his congratulatory remarks, National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee Chairman Ahn Ho-young encouraged participants by stating, "Due to climate change, unstable water supply, and aging water pipes, the potable water consumption rate remains low at around 5%. To increase this rate, a safe and sustainable water management system is necessary. I hope that various solutions will be developed."

Shim Hakseop, CEO of Jin Haeng Waterway, presented on the topic "Examining the Nature of Water" in the second session, noting, "In Germany, the potable tap water rate exceeds 80% (according to the 2023 VKU report), and in Sweden, it is over 85%. Korea must also strive to quickly raise its potable water consumption rate to the level of the European Union."

Shim Hakseop further cited the Ministry of Environment's 2024 announcement, stating, "The reasons for reluctance to drink tap water include concerns about impurities in aging water pipes (34.3%), perceptions that it may not be good for health (21.5%), and the smell of chlorine (13.2%). The issue of aging water pipes, which is the most distrusted, must be fundamentally resolved to significantly increase the potable water rate."

Choi Gyeun, Professor Emeritus at Incheon National University and former President of the Korea Water Resources Corporation, presented on the topic "From Clean to Healthy," emphasizing, "An innovative shift in the water supply paradigm is needed, from safe water to healthy water. It is essential to address the chronic problems of the stagnant 110-year-old water supply system and advance to a modern, advanced water supply system."

During the third session, the "K-Waterworks Future Strategy" panel discussion was held, moderated by Kim Jinyoung, former Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs of Incheon Metropolitan City. The panel included Ahn Ilman, former KBS reporter; Kim Yusik, Professor at Yonsei University; Lee Jeongsu, Co-CEO of Green Future; Lee Jukyung, Doctor at Incheon Green Environment Support Center; Choi Gyeun, Professor Emeritus at Incheon National University; and Shim Hakseop, CEO of Jin Haeng Waterway. Through a Q&A session with the general audience, the panel generated significant engagement by delving deeply into future strategies for waterworks.