"Focus on Improving Quality of Life and Building a Marine Bio Cluster"
Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province, expressed a negative stance on September 22 regarding the proposed construction of the Pangyo Stream canal, stating that "realistically, it is a remote possibility."
He also emphasized that the future of Seocheon County depends not on population growth, but on improving quality of life and fostering the marine bioindustry.
During a press conference held in Seocheon County that day, Governor Kim explained, "Although some advocate for canal construction as a response to heavy rainfall, the government is unlikely to support allocating a large budget to such a small region. During my tenure as a National Assembly member, I realized the Pangyo Multipurpose Dam water supply project, which resolved the agricultural and industrial water needs."
He added, "Currently, river maintenance is designed based on a 30- to 70-year frequency, but with climate change, we need to prepare for a 200-year frequency. While the overall maintenance for Chungnam Province requires 8 trillion won, with an annual available budget of 110 billion won, it would take 80 years. I have raised the need for a prioritized plan in 5- to 10-year increments with the President and the Minister of the Interior and Safety."
Regarding the direction of Seocheon County's development, he stated, "Expanding the population to 100,000 or 150,000 is unrealistic. The city should aim for a population of 50,000 to 60,000, where the elderly and younger generations coexist." He stressed the need to focus on building a marine bio cluster, including the Janghang National Wetland Restoration Project, the Marine Bioindustrialization Support Center, the Blue Carbon Demonstration Center, and the marine bio-materials plant.
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