Shin Youngho Urges Urgent Budget Securing for Expansion of Geumgang Estuary Bank Drainage Sluice Gates

In a Five-Minute Speech at the Chungnam Provincial Council
"Thorough Verification and Integrated Management Needed, Including Preliminary Feasibility Study and Impact Assessment"

Chungnam Provincial Council Member Shin Youngho

Chungnam Provincial Council Member Shin Youngho (Seocheon 2, People Power Party) strongly urged on November 5 for securing a budget for a feasibility study on the expansion of the Geumgang Estuary Bank drainage sluice gates.

Shin emphasized, "Ecological restoration of the Geumgang estuary is a key task for environmental protection and balanced regional development, but its effectiveness cannot be guaranteed without prior verification and integrated management." He added, "It is urgent to establish stable water level management measures in this era of climate crisis."

During a five-minute speech at the first plenary session of the 362nd regular meeting held that day, Shin stated, "It is urgent to secure a thorough feasibility study budget for the expansion of the Geumgang Estuary Bank drainage sluice gates."

He pointed out, "The ecological restoration of the Geumgang estuary, which the government is pursuing as a national agenda, is expected to have various positive effects, including environmental protection, response to the climate crisis, and balanced regional development. However, scientific verification such as a preliminary feasibility study and prior impact assessment must come first."

In particular, he noted, "Sections of the Geumgang Estuary Bank where sluice gates have not been installed are experiencing increased sediment accumulation and reduced drainage efficiency, leading to rising downstream water levels and a heightened risk of farmland flooding. Therefore, expansion of the drainage sluice gates to prepare for extreme rainfall is inevitable."

He continued, "The maximum discharge capacity of the Daecheong Dam exceeds the Geumgang Estuary Bank’s water flow capacity by more than 30%. Therefore, expansion is necessary to enhance flood response capabilities. In addition, seawater circulation and expansion require an integrated approach that harmonizes ecology, agriculture, and residents, rather than simply opening the gates."

He concluded, "Water level management and seawater circulation in the era of climate crisis are practical solutions that protect both the ecosystem and residents' livelihoods. Chungnam Province must actively cooperate with the government to secure a feasibility study budget and establish a roadmap."