The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project
launched in 2008 has been the subject of much
controversy over the years.
After conducting thorough inspections, the
environment ministry proposed the deconstruction
of three weirs created as part of that project,...
for economic and safety reasons.
KIM Da-mi has the latest.
A plan to remove three weirs that were constructed
as part of the The Four Major Rivers Restoration
Project has been proposed on Friday.
According to the plan by Ministry of Environment’s
inspection committee, Sejong weir on the Geumgang
River and Juksan weir on the Yeongsangang
River will be completely deconstructed, along
with the partial deconstruction of the Gongju
weir on the Geumgang River.
The inspection committee said economic efficiency
and safety were the main reasons behind the
decision.
Through its analysis, the committee has concluded
that maintenance costs for the Sejong weir
and Juksan weir are relatively high whereas
removal of the weirs will instead improve
the water quality.
For instance, the maintenance costs after
the deconstruction of Sejong weir are three
times lower.
The Four Rivers Restoration Project, envisioned
by former President Lee Myung-bak back in
2008, was reportedly designed to revitalize
the country's four largest rivers, The Hangang,
Nakdonggang, Geumgang and Yeongsangang rivers.
However, flaws in the 20-billion U.S. dollar
project such as poor construction have led
to investigations and now the proposed deconstruction
of some parts of the project.
The final decision on the three weirs will
be determined by the National Water Management
Committee this June.
KIM Da-mi, Arirang News.
