Minister Kim Seong-hwan attends the confirmation hearing at the Environment and Labor Committee's general meeting hall at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 15th and answers questions from lawmakers./Courtesy of News1

Kim Seong-hwan, the Minister nominee for the Ministry of Environment, said on the 15th that the dam construction, which is set to be newly established, could be halted.

On this day, Kim appeared at a confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and said, “I will precisely re-evaluate whether there is any local opposition related to the new dam and will only push forward with what is absolutely necessary,” adding, “For those that are not, I will seek understanding to halt the project.”

He explained, “Some of the ongoing new dams are designed as multipurpose dams, and there are also dams designed to temporarily store water when heavy rain occurs while keeping the gates open usually.” He then stated, “I will conduct a precise re-evaluation of the overall necessity.”

Before the confirmation hearing, Kim also stated in a written response submitted to the National Assembly, “Because there are flood and drought prevention effects and controversy over support and opposition among local residents, I will establish a rational direction through a precise re-evaluation.”

This is consistent with a pledge by President Lee Jae-myung. The president promised to scrap the installation of new dams that do not help in responding to natural disasters and are unwanted by local residents.

Regarding the term “climate response dam,” Kim said, “It seems to be too vague.” On this day, Park Hae-cheol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out that the term “climate response dam” could create the illusion that it is a dam capable of responding to all extreme weather conditions. He then requested Kim to reconsider the name, to which Kim responded, “Yes.”

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