Clash Over Jicheon Dam at Dialogue Between Province and County
Governor: "Securing Water Is Essential for Cheongyang's Future"
County Chief: "I Will Decide in the Best Interest of Residents"
Governor Kim Taeheum and County Chief Kim Donggon clashed head-on over the construction of Jicheon Dam. The photo shows County Chief Kim responding to a question from a resident supporting the project, saying, "I will make decisions solely for the residents and the region," and adding, "I hope my position as county chief is not disparaged."
On October 20, Governor Kim Taeheum of South Chungcheong Province and County Chief Kim Donggon of Cheongyang County clashed head-on in a public forum over the construction of Jicheon Dam during the governor’s fourth-year visit to Cheongyang as part of the 8th popularly elected administration’s county tour.
Governor Kim maintained his support for the dam, stating, "Jicheon Dam is necessary to secure future growth engines for Cheongyang." In contrast, County Chief Kim countered by saying, "I will make decisions centered solely on the residents," and called for restraint from disparaging remarks.
From the outset, the issue of Jicheon Dam emerged as the central topic during the "Dialogue with Residents" event held at the Cheongyang Culture and Arts Center on October 20. Outside the venue, residents both supporting and opposing the project held separate rallies with picket signs, heightening the sense of tension.
Governor Kim emphasized, "Why would someone who looks down on Cheongyang spend 30 billion won to purchase the Forest Resources Research Institute site? Since it is difficult for Cheongyang to attract businesses like Cheonan or Asan, the county must develop into a tourism-oriented region with a high quality of life by utilizing its mountains and water resources."
He added, "Jicheon Dam is a national project. If we remain passive, we will be left behind. We must approach this not just as a way to supply household water, but as a comprehensive development strategy to revitalize the local economy, including attracting tourists."
He continued, "Under the current administration, Jicheon Dam was included among seven candidate sites. The province will not invest 100 billion won in provincial funds; instead, the national government will take the lead, and the province will only provide supplementary support where needed. By integrating the Forest Resources Research Institute, park golf course, and the Climate and Environmental Education Center, we aim to revitalize Cheongyang's economy."
In response, when a resident supporting the project requested County Chief Kim Donggon to clarify his position, he immediately came to the stage and replied, "I will make decisions solely for the residents and the region," adding, "I hope my position as county chief is not disparaged."
Governor Kim concluded the discussion by saying, "There is more I could say, but I will stop here," but the atmosphere remained tense for some time afterward.
Meanwhile, on September 29, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced the complete halt of construction plans for seven out of fourteen new dam candidate sites promoted by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. However, the Cheongyang-Buyeo Jicheon Dam has been classified as a subject for public discussion and alternative review, effectively entering a phase of renewed debate.
In relation to this, at a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Center on October 1, the Jicheon Dam Opposition Committee and others criticized, "The Ministry of Environment is pushing ahead with public discussions without consulting residents," and called it "a decision that ignores the suffering of local residents."
The controversy over Jicheon Dam is the most pressing regional issue directly linked to Cheongyang's survival strategy, and attention is focused on how the differences between South Chungcheong Province and Cheongyang County will be resolved during the upcoming public debate process.
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