The Four Major Rivers Project

The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project of South Korea is the multi-purpose green growth project on the Han River (Korea), Nakdong River, Geum River and Yeongsan River. This restoration project will provide water security, flood control and ecosystem vitality. This project was first announced as part of the “Green New Deal” policy launched in January 2009. It was later included in the South Korean five-year national plan released by the government in July 2009 and its funding, a total of 22.2 trillion won (Approximately 17.3 billion USD), is reflected in the five-year plan total investment.

The overall project consists of three sets of projects: 1) Main projects – the Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeongsan rivers revitalization projects; 2) projects on the 14 tributaries of the four major rivers; and 3) refurbishment for other smaller-sized streams. The Four Major River Restoration Project has five key objectives: 1) securing abundant water resources against water scarcity; 2) implementing comprehensive flood control measures; 3) improving water quality and restoring ecosystems; 4) creation of multipurpose spaces for local residents; and 5) regional development centred on rivers.

More than 929km of national streams will be restored as part of the Four Major River Restoration Project. A follow-up project will be planned to restore more than 10,000 km of local streams. More than 35 riparian wetlands will also be reconstructed.

Contents

Background

The Four Rivers Restoration Project of Korea is a packaged project that aims to resolve water-related problems such as floods and droughts and renew Korean territory centering on water. It is also a comprehensive pan-government project that consists of various plans set up by diverse ministries with massive investment over a short-term period.

Korean government estimated an adequate amount of water resources to prepare for future water scarcity. (800 million ㎥ in 2011, and one billion ㎥ in 2016 expected) Excessive amount of budget has been spent in recovering water-related damages that could have been saved through investment in disaster prevention measures. (Average annual investment in flood prevention: 1.1 trillion KRW / Recovery expenses: 4.2 trillion KRW) Korea is to strengthen the management of pollutants to improve water quality due to the increase of Chemical oxygen demand that takes a long time for degradation and Total Phosphorus that results in eutrophication.

Existing spaces and programs for water sports and cultural activities cannot meet the rising demand from the rise of income levels.

This river restoration plans are to be congruous and comprehensive since rivers have diverse functions related to water storage and control, environment, development, and leisure.

The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is to contribute to recovering the real economy from the recession through job creation and local economic revitalization.

Policy Direction

The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project has the following policy directions

Proactive response against climate change

Diversification of ways to secure water resources

Paradigm shift in river management policies

Utilization of river areas as multipurpose spaces for the co-existence of the people and environment

Main Aspects

Implementation of five core challenges to achieve the goal of renewing the territory

Project time and cost

Twelve cities and provinces submitted 836 recommendations worth 98.3 trillion KRW

Expected Benefits

An opportunity for Korea to position itself as a powerhouse in water resources in the international community

Fundamental resolution of floods and water scarcity

    1. Increased water storage thanks to dredging sediment and building reservoirs will equip us against droughts.
    2. Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs can be able to secure river maintenance water and strengthen flood control capacity even during droughts by building small sized multipurpose dams and expanding existing agricultural reservoirs.
    1. Flood damage and recovery expenses will decrease by dredging sediment.
    2. The down-streams will be protected by retention and riverside reservoirs.
    3. The reinforcement of old levees will raise the safety in flood control

Contribution to sound restoration of the ecosystem

Increased quality of cultural and leisurely activities, and lives

Local economies revitalized through the Green New Deal

Promotion of green growth projects

    1. The development of remote sensors will enable real-time monitoring of water pollution, water level, vulnerable areas upon disasters, and facilities such as bridges and dams.
    1. Digital tours on the culture and historic sites of the four major rivers will be promoted. To this end, the government will support technological development, commercialization, and international standardization of wireless communication, and positioning system.
    1. Scientific management of resources and environment of the underwater which is difficult to access will become possible by using robots.
    1. Photovoltaic power generation facilities will be built in riversides that are not submerged.
    2. The government will construct small hydropower plants when expanding existing reservoirs and agricultural reservoirs.