Climate, Energy and Environment Ministry launches third-term water-management committees across four basins

The Climate, Energy and Environment Ministry said that four third-term basin water-management committees had been launched after 91 private-sector chairs and members were appointed to deliberate and decide on water policies and mediate disputes in four river basins.

The appointments took effect Aug. 21 and will run for three years, through Aug. 20, 2029. Together, the four committees have 165 members, with the private-sector appointees joined by 74 ex officio representatives.

The committees will be jointly chaired by Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Kim Sung-hwan and Kwon Su-yeol, Ju Ki-jae, Choi Jin-ha and Lee Hak-young, who will head the Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeongsan-Seomjin committees, respectively. The appointed private-sector members include experts in water quality, aquatic ecosystems and water resources.

Each committee will form three or four subcommittees covering planning, policy and water-dispute mediation. They will review the conformity of local-government water-related plans, identify ways to improve integrated water management and find future tasks, while promoting coordination and communication.

Kim Jwa-gwan, private-sector chair of the National Water Management Commission, said: "We expect to find solutions to water problems, including extreme droughts and floods caused by recent climate change, that reflect regional characteristics and residents' views."