Yeoju Mayoral Candidate Deukmo Jung: "Yeoju Weir Opening Should Take a 'Third Way,' Not Full Release"

Deukmo Jung, People Power Party Candidate for Yeoju Mayor, Takes Policy Action
Opening the Weirs Would Require 160 Billion Won Just for Facility Improvements... A Waste of Taxpayer Money
Scientific and Flexible Management, Cooperation with the Government Needed... Proposes Alternative
Jung Vows, "I Will Safeguard Both Water Resources and the Ecosystem"

As the issue of opening the three weirs in Yeoju (Gangcheon Weir, Yeoju Weir, and Ipo Weir), promoted as part of the government's 'Restoration of the Four Major Rivers' policy, has become a hot topic in the local community, Deukmo Jung, the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Yeoju, has put forward a 'third alternative' that compromises between full opening and maintaining the current status, taking a proactive policy stance.

Deukmo Jung, candidate for mayor of Yeoju from the People Power Party. Provided by Future Research Institute

On January 13, Jung stated, "Yeoju should not be a local government that simply opposes government policy, but rather a leading city that proposes a win-win model to achieve both efficient use of water resources and the restoration of the Han River." He officially proposed an alternative centered on 'scientific and flexible management.'

Jung, a water management expert with a Ph.D. in environmental science and former head of the Seoul Water Research Institute, pointed out specific concerns based on data.

He warned, "If the Yeoju Weir is fully opened, the water storage volume will plummet from the current approximately 30 million tons to about 3 million tons, a tenth of the current level." He emphasized that this would inevitably lead not only to the inability to draw water for daily life, industry, and agriculture, but also to damage to facility farms due to a drop in groundwater levels. He also stressed that if the water level drops by 3 meters, it is estimated that an enormous budget of about 160 billion won would be required just to improve 21 facilities, including water intake and pumping stations.

In addition, regarding water quality and the ecosystem, he pointed out, "The weakening of the dilution effect due to reduced water volume could lead to deterioration in the water quality of the Paldang water source and higher purification costs. There is also a high risk that the reservoir-type ecosystem will be destroyed, resulting in loss of biodiversity."

He further mentioned, "As the reservoir-type ecosystem changes rapidly, there is a greater possibility of a decrease in species and damage to biodiversity. During the dry season, with only the minimum discharge from Chungju Dam, the Namhan River could virtually dry up, raising serious concerns about the collapse of the aquatic ecosystem."

Jung also expressed concern that "the economic and social impact on the region is significant, including damage to horticulture, floriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture, deterioration of waterfront landscapes, and contraction of water leisure and tourism, all of which could lead to the hollowing out of the local community." He added, "The reduction in water volume and deterioration in water quality could conflict with existing river, water supply, and sewage maintenance plans, simultaneously weakening the ability to respond to both droughts and floods."

The core of Jung's proposed alternative is 'seasonal and region-specific phased management.'

He stated, "A scientific approach is needed to variably open the weirs according to seasonal circumstances such as the agricultural off-season." At the same time, he suggested implementing a 'two-track strategy' in which civic groups voice opposition to opening the weirs while the city government operates a practical negotiation channel.

He added, "It is also necessary to redesign the river in a natural style by creating wetlands and rapids in the upper and middle reaches, establish a 'Yeoju Weir Management Council,' secure 100% national funding for facility improvements, coordinate operations between Chungju Dam and Yeoju Weir, and ensure continuous monitoring of water quality and the ecosystem, as well as secure alternative water resources such as riverbank filtration water."

Jung cited overseas examples such as the Thames River in London, the Seine River in Paris, and the Hudson River in New York, explaining, "Even the world's major rivers serve as lifelines for their cities through advanced water volume management, without natural sandbars."

Jung reiterated, "The Yeoju Weir is not simply a place to store water, but a key infrastructure that guarantees Yeoju's future competitiveness. As mayor, I will negotiate with the government based on scientific evidence and prioritize protecting the rights and interests of the citizens."