This study analyses the local residents' conflicts in the regions such as Andong-Youngchon where the underwater canal construction have been taken first as a long-term construction in this country. Since south Korea was classified as one of the water-...
This study analyses the local residents' conflicts in the regions such as Andong-Youngchon where the underwater canal construction have been taken first as a long-term construction in this country. Since south Korea was classified as one of the water-stressed nations, many experts and some environmental interest groups have alerted people about the importance of acquiring and using water resources wisely. However the aquisition and management of water resources hardly meets the need. It is vital that executive organization be equipped with the effective management of water resources. This is believed to have the supply and demand of water resources balanced by intergrating the five major rivers and transferring water routes from city to city, preventing damages from cold-weather and floods.
On the other hand, this prematurely launched construction aroused many problems such as major civil complains, the increase of construction expenses, the extention of construction period. This is presumed that this project was not fully prepared on the basis of research findings, data and appropriate assessment of the environment.
Consequently this study is to analyze the conflicts of Cheong-song county residents as a case, who had suffered from some conflicts at one of the construction sites and to suggest solutions for better policy of water resources.
This closely examines how the project has progressed from its initiation in 1988 throughout the end of 2001. Successful water canal construction depends on how the target groups response toward the construction. The findings are as followings :
First, these projects are hardly based on the expertise and research findings on the underwater canal construction, which subsequently led to some technical and planning errors.
Second, local residents have easier access to express and reflect their opinion and grievances to executive organization than ever in organized, specialized ways. These activities have been encouraged and nurtured mainly by environmental groups since south Koreans have gone through democratic system throughout the nations.
Presumably this kind of project will face other similar conflicting situations in the future unless some troubling factors are removed. For this reason, this study suggests some solutions on the local residents' complains.
First, it is essential that people around the construction sites need to positively view and understand the construction. They absolutely need to take water as a resource which is not only limited and shared with others, but also the interest and maintenance expenses should be shared.
Second, it is necessary to establish the appropriate systems. For example, executive organization need to develope the total management system to maintain the consistent policy and quality control of water. Furthermore it also needs to estimate the amount of water on demand in a reliable way and is capable to provide to who need it.
Third, it needs to closely examine how much the project costs to transfer water from cities to cities. It also needs to secure the planning and techniques throughout the project.
Finally, the executives should be furnished with the rational attitude to implement national projects like this. To put this into practice, it is suggested that the organization needs to hold the public hearings and the assessment of environment and to acquire the consistent and clear policy, the expertise, reliability, and integrity.
In conclusion, the water policy still have some positive sides while this country faces many obstacles mentioned above. Compared to other countries, the amount of domestic precipitation is relatively high. The problem is that more water leaks out to the sea than it is actually used at the factory and home, etc. Obviously it is not true this country is short of the absolute amount of water. Consequently it is imperative to suggest short-and long term tasks which make all the people in this country recognize water as a common property, having executive organizations equipped with the right attitude, policy, and practices .