Yanggu County Calls for Action at Border Area Council
"Upstream Sacrifice Ensures Downstream Safety"
Demands Easing of Dam Area Regulations and Fair Benefit Sharing
On October 29, Yanggu County in Gangwon Province submitted the establishment of a fair profit-sharing system for dam-adjacent areas as an agenda item at the 2025 second half Border Area Mayors and Governors Council, held at Aegibong Peace Ecological Park in Gimpo City. The county emphasized the need to improve the extremely limited benefit structure, which is disproportionate to the regulations and damages imposed on upstream regions.
Seo Heungwon, Governor of Yanggu County, stated, "Yanggu is an upstream area surrounded by the Soyang River Dam, Hwacheon Dam, and Peace Dam, and for decades, its development has been restricted due to submersion, transportation disruptions, and environmental regulations. Since the sacrifices made upstream have contributed to the safety and convenience of downstream areas, it is now time to establish a fair and sustainable profit-sharing system."
He also added, "The northward shift of the Civilian Control Line and the lifting of military protection zones are fundamental prerequisites for regional development and have been long-standing aspirations of residents in border areas." He noted that he and the other mayors and governors in attendance agreed on the need for regulatory easing and mutually beneficial development.
Based on the outcomes of these discussions, Yanggu County plans to continue consultations with relevant agencies and actively pursue policy proposals and follow-up measures to improve the current system.
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