7 Years Later, Dam Project Resumes

The long-suspended Hantan River Dam project is finally confirmed to be resumed. Its construction has been delayed for seven years due to strong opposition from local residents and environmental groups.

On August 22, the government held the “Fifth Ad Hoc Committee on Flooding Preventive Measures for Imjin River” presided over by Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook and decided on building a dam in Hantan River that is a tributary to Imjin River. Along with building the dam, an undercurrent reservoir is also set to be constructed to control its water level in the upper reaches of Hantan River when flooding occurs. The expected construction site is thought to be a district linking Shinheung-ri, Changsu-myeon, Pocheon-gun, Gyeonggi and Gomun-ri, Yeoncheon-eup, and Yeoncheon-gun.

The aim of the Hantan River Dam is to release water only when flood occurs while letting water follow its natural flows in a normal environment.

The joint anti-Hantan River Dam construction committee of Cheorwon, Pocheon, and Yeoncheon insisted, “The government is pursuing the building of the dam as soon as flooding damages including life and property losses caused by heavy rain are reported. It is recklessly pushing ahead with the uneconomical and unreasonable construction plan.”

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