Delay in establishment of river basic plan for 20 national rivers... Flood damage occurred in 6 locations

It was found that the basic river plan, which is the basis for flood defense, was not established in 20 national rivers beyond the statutory deadline.

Meanwhile, flood damage occurred in six national rivers.

According to the analysis of data received from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment by a member of the Democratic Party of Korea's fishing organization (Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province) on the 22nd, as of June this year, the basic river plans for 20 of 89 national rivers were not established to exceed the legal deadline.

The River Act stipulates that a basic river plan containing management directions such as flood defense and construction be established every 10 years.

However, 9 places failed to update their basic river plans even after 3 years and 6 months, and 2 places passed the statutory deadline for 4 years and 6 months.

Among these national rivers, six, including Gyeongan Stream, Gongneung Stream, Muhan Stream, Sapgyocheon, Gokgyo Stream, and Anseong Stream, have suffered damage such as loss of embankments, erosion, damaged floodgates, and flooding over the past five years.

In particular, during the extreme heavy rain in July last year, 120m of the embankment of Sapgyocheon was washed away, and 6.91㎢ of Sinam-myeon and Sapgyo-eup, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do were flooded, and 2.26㎢ of Sinchang-myeon, Asan-si, around Gokgyocheon, also suffered flood damage.

Following the embankment erosion in 2022, Gongneungcheon's floodgates were damaged last year, and a flood warning was issued at Wondang Bridge this year, and access to the riverside was restricted.

Osan Stream also had three areas, including Jamsu Bridge and the riverbed road, blocked due to a rise in water levels last July.

Rep. Eo Gu-gu pointed out, “Even though residents are suffering from the pain of their homes, farmlands, and stores being submerged, the government is emphasizing disaster prevention and neglecting the management of statutory plans, which is the basis for flood preparation.” He added, “It cannot be said that it has fulfilled its responsibility for river management just by investing a huge amount of recovery money after the damage.”