윤석열 정부가 졸속 발표한 5개 ‘기후 대응댐’, 그대로 건설하기로

The Korean government, led by President Yoon Suk-yeol, has decided to proceed with the construction of five of the 14 controversial dams, despite opposition from local residents and environmental groups. The government announced this plan on July 27, 2024. The five dams to be built are the Chungcheongnam-do Cheonggyecheon Dam, Yeongjecheon Dam, Gangjin-eup Bunyongcheon Dam, Ulsan Hwajang River Dam, and Gyeongsangnam-do Gokjeongcheon Dam.

The remaining nine dams will either be abandoned or replaced with alternative projects. The most contentious dam is the Cheonggyecheon Dam, which was originally built as a flood control dam in response to heavy rains in 2023, but is now being transformed into a multipurpose dam to provide water supply and flood protection. The government claims that the dams will be able to supply 180,000 tons of water per day and protect against floods with a 100-year frequency.

However, local residents have raised concerns about the government's decision, stating that the residents of Cheonggyecheon have not been consulted. The Cheonggyecheon Dam is not the first dam to be built in this location, as similar projects have been attempted in the past and met with strong opposition from the community. Other dams, such as the Amisan Dam and Gangjeong Dam, will also be modified to provide additional flood protection and water supply.

The government plans to conduct further studies before finalizing the plans for the five dams, which have a total estimated cost of 1.67 trillion won. Environmental activists have called for the government to abandon the entire dam project in favor of a comprehensive plan for water usage and management in response to the climate crisis.