Environment ministry confirms five new dams and cancels two others

The environment ministry said Thursday it has confirmed plans to construct five new dams while canceling two other proposed sites in favor of alternative water management solutions.

Construction will proceed at Jicheon Dam in Cheongyang and Buyeo, Amicheon Dam in Yeoncheon, Byeongyeongcheon Dam in Gangjin, Hoeyagang Dam in Ulsan, and Gohyeoncheon Dam in Geoje. The decision follows a review aimed at optimizing water resource utilization to reduce flood and drought damage and ensure timely supply to national advanced industrial complexes.

For the remaining two locations, the ministry opted against building new structures. The proposed Gamcheon Dam in Gimcheon will be replaced by utilizing a nearby multi-purpose dam and improving river maintenance, while the Garyecheon Dam in Uiryeong will be addressed through linked operations with existing reservoirs.

Total project costs for the 14 dam initiatives under review were slashed from approximately 4.75 trillion won ($3.44 billion) to about 1.67 trillion won ($1.21 billion).

"We will make every effort to establish optimal water resource utilization plans, including new dam construction, to reduce flood and drought damage and ensure timely water supply to national advanced industrial complexes," Kim Seong-hwan, minister of climate, energy and environment, said.

Kim added that the ministry plans to share the review results and future schedules for the seven dam sites with regional communities and provide sufficient explanations to residents.