S. Korea to spend 114 tln won on river works By Lee Joon-seung

SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will spend 14 trillion won (US$10.4 billion) on strengthening the capability of four main river systems across the country to cope with floods and drought, the government said Monday.
The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said initial work could
begin in the second half of 2009, with the entire work on the Han, Nakdong, Geum
and Yeongsan rivers to be completed by late 2011.
"Work will be focused on strengthening embankments, restoring the eco-system and
maintaining appropriate depth to facilitate water flow," Kwon Jin-bong, deputy
minister for construction and water resources said.
The project outlined at a meeting chaired by President Lee Myung-bak could reduce
damages caused by floods and drought that on average costs the government 4.2
trillion won annually.
"The basic plan is to prevent damage that has destroyed property and taken lives"
he stressed. The government had spent about only 1.2 trillion won each year on
rivers to prevent disasters.
The official claimed that while a more detailed plan will be announced in April
or May of next year, the project could help create 190,000 new jobs mainly in the
construction sector and boost related economic output by 23 trillion won.
The plan, in addition, calls for the construction of four submerged dams to save
water in case of drought, the setting aside of reserve reservoirs along the
rivers in case of floods and development of recreational facilities on the river
banks.
Woodland that is to be created on the embarkment could help reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
The ministry said that while 8 trillion won of the total earmarked will be spent
on developing rivers, the project is not related to the controversial Grand Canal
program.
It said that there are no plans to set up inland terminals, dams or dredge up the
river bottom to allow for boat traffic.
The canal plan that calls for linking major rivers via canals has effectively
been scrapped in the face of public opposition to its feasibility and concerns
about its environmental impact.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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