[2025 National Assembly Inspection] Choi Minho Argues, "Water System Management Should Be Entrusted to the Mayor of Sejong"

Opposition Lawmakers Highlight Need to Restart Sejong Weir
Ruling Party Lawmaker Says "Sejong Weir Should Be Dismantled"

Sejong City Mayor Choi Minho is speaking at the National Assembly inspection of the Sejong City administrative executive held on the 20th. / Photo by Yonhap News

During the National Assembly inspection of Sejong City, the issue of restarting the Sejong Weir, which has been a topic of debate, was discussed.

Opposition party lawmakers who advocated for the reactivation of the Sejong Weir pointed out that the national water management policy should not fall into ideological or partisan logic.

In response to questions from opposition lawmakers about the need to restart the Sejong Weir, Mayor Choi Minho argued, "The Sejong Weir was installed as part of the plan to construct Sejong City during the administration of former President Roh Moo-hyun, and it is unrelated to the Four Major Rivers Project promoted during the Lee Myung-bak administration."

He went on to explain that the decision to dismantle the Sejong Weir was made during the Moon Jae-in administration, the decision to restart it was made during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, and the current administration has a policy of re-naturalizing the Sejong Weir, highlighting the problem of policies changing with each administration.

Mayor Choi also explained that the delay in operating the Sejong Weir has caused difficulties in securing agricultural water in the surrounding areas.

In response, Lee Dalhee, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, pointed out, "If water management policies are promoted according to administration, ideology, or political affiliation, only the citizens of Sejong, who desperately need water, end up suffering." Lee Seongkwon, also from the same party, said, "There is certainly debate over the Four Major Rivers Project depending on one's perspective or philosophy, but in the case of the Sejong Weir, I do not think there is any reason to experience such conflict. Although it was started for a particular purpose during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, the Moon Jae-in administration completely changed it. The greatest victims are the citizens of Sejong."

In response, Mayor Choi said, "Since river management is directly linked to local interests, I hope it can be delegated to local government authority. At the very least, I believe the management of water systems running through Sejong City should be entrusted to the mayor of Sejong."

Among the ruling party, only Lee Gwanghee, a lawmaker representing Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province, argued that even if water is not retained at the Sejong Weir, only the agricultural and industrial areas of his own constituency, Hyundo-myeon in Seowon-gu, Cheongju, would be affected, and Sejong City would not suffer any impact.

Lee stated, "The Geum River can flow sufficiently if we utilize the ample water from the Miho River and the Daecheong Dam. Has there ever been a case of drought?" He added, "National agencies have already determined that dismantling the Sejong Weir is the most rational option in terms of economic feasibility, environmental impact, and safety."

Mayor Choi questioned Lee's claim by saying, "Many people in Sejong are engaged in farming. How can you guarantee there will never be a drought in the Geum River?"