15 Years of the Four Major Rivers Project: What Tasks Remain for the Environment and Economy?
It has been 15 years since the Four Major Rivers Project began in South Korea. Recently, environmental activists visited Sangju Weir and Gyeongcheondae in Gyeongsangbuk-do to observe the reality of the rivers' changes since the project. This project was originally promoted with the goal of securing water by damming rivers and revitalizing the regional economy.
Sangju Weir is a massive structure, standing 11 meters high with a storage capacity of 1.29 million cubic meters. According to international standards, it is of a scale that can be classified as a large dam. However, environmental groups point out that this massive weir obstructs the natural flow of the river and impacts water quality and the ecosystem.
In particular, the appearance of Gyeongcheondae, once famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, has changed significantly. Before the project, it was a popular destination for tourists with its vast sandbars, but it is now submerged or has disappeared due to the installation of the weir. Environmental experts are expressing deep concern over the loss of the river's natural state.
At the time of the project's promotion, the government advertised that storing water would solve droughts and revitalize the economy of surrounding areas. However, 15 years later, many experts are questioning whether the expected economic effects have actually materialized. Rather, the enormous costs required to maintain and manage the weirs are being pointed out as a problem.
The Four Major Rivers Project remains a major point of contention in Korean society between the two values of environmental protection and economic development. It is a time when social consensus is needed on how to restore the river ecosystem and what direction future management should take.