Gyeongju City Publishes APEC Waterworks Preparation White Paper Summarizing 19 Key Tasks

Gyeongju City Outlines Management Strategies for 15 Major Event Facilities, Water Quality, and Supply Preparedness
Joo Nakyoung Stresses the Importance of Documenting Behind-the-Scenes Efforts as a Lasting Guideline

The Gyeongju Waterworks Headquarters announced on the 25th that it has independently compiled and published the "2025 APEC Waterworks Sector Preparation White Paper" without allocating a separate service budget.

This white paper is a comprehensive report by Gyeongju City that summarizes 19 APEC preparation tasks promoted since July of last year.

The waterworks sector, along with security and food safety, is an area intensively managed by national agencies. Prime Minister Kim Minseok has inspected this crucial sector every time he visited Gyeongju, which has been more than ten times.

The white paper includes a focused management plan for water supply at 15 major event facilities, as well as three core strategies: stable water supply, facility safety, and water quality management.

It also details the pre-event preparation procedures, water management at Deokdong Dam during flood and drought seasons, and plans for operating the waterfront functions of the Sinpyeongcheon stream near HICO.

Additionally, the report organizes detailed preparations such as dam and water purification plant facility inspections and repairs, emergency water supply plans and cooperation systems with related organizations, response scenarios for false reports, water quality improvement measures for substances such as fluoride and manganese, and plans to secure facility operation and security personnel during the event period.

In particular, the white paper introduces the background of media reports during APEC in which U.S. President Donald Trump remarked, "Korean water is really good," explaining that this positive evaluation was in response to Gyeongju City's pre-arranged water supply system, not groundwater.

Joo Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju, emphasized, "It is highly significant that we have documented the experiences and achievements in the waterworks sector, which often goes unnoticed, during Gyeongju's first large-scale international event. This will serve as a valuable guideline for enhancing the professionalism and capabilities of local administration in the future."