Korea splits dam plan to build five and cancel two

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment finalized a strategy on Aug. 27 to fast-track five dams designed to handle 100-year frequency rain events while canceling two others in favor of river maintenance and reservoir linkage.

The ministry determined that constructing the Jicheon Dam in Cheongyang and Buyeo, Amicheon Dam in Yeoncheon, Byeongyeongcheon Dam in Gangjin, Hoeyagang Dam in Ulsan, and Gohecheon Dam in Geoje remains essential to secure water supplies for regional mega-projects and protect urban areas from extreme rainfall.

Plans for Gamcheon Dam in Gimcheon and Garyecheon Dam in Uiryeong were scrapped after reviews found alternative solutions more effective. Instead of new construction, authorities will maximize existing multi-purpose dams and link nearby reservoirs to manage flood volumes, reducing the estimated project cost from 4.75 trillion won ($3.44 billion) to 1.67 trillion won ($1.21 billion).

Minister Kim Seong-hwan stated the government will share these review results with local communities to explain how the optimized water resource plan aims to reduce flood and drought damage. The remaining five dams must still pass preliminary feasibility studies and environmental assessments before construction plans are officially gazetted.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety reported that emergency repairs on 3,575 damaged facilities are 85.2 percent complete. To address lingering power outages and water shortages, the ministry urgently allocated an additional 150 million won ($108,672) in disaster relief funds to Geoje.