Korea scales back Yoon-era dam plan, moves ahead with 5 projects worth $1.2 bil.

Korea has scaled back its ambitious dam plan from the Yoon Suk Yeol era, opting to move forward with five new or upgraded dam projects while scrapping two others and replacing them with alternatives that utilize existing water infrastructure. This decision, announced by Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Kim Sung-whan, brings the total number of dam projects to seven scrapped, five approved and two relocated to alternative solutions.

The revised plan reduces the estimated spending from 4.75 trillion won ($3.45 billion) to about 1.67 trillion won ($1.2 billion).

The change comes after questions were raised about the necessity and effectiveness of the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration's plan. Additionally, there was strong opposition from residents in the proposed project areas and environmental activists. The five projects that will proceed are the Jicheon Dam in Cheongyang and Buyeo in South Chungcheong Province, the Amicheon Dam in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, the Byeongyeongcheon Dam in Gangjin, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, the Hoeyagang Dam in Ulsan and the Gohyeoncheon Dam in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province.

The government stated that the selected projects are necessary and will provide significant benefits.