Han Hyungae Proposes 'Three Water Management Laws' to Prioritize Water Supply for National Strategic Industries like Semiconductors and AI

Shortened Review Cycle for National Waterworks Master Plan Feasibility
Prioritizing Water Supply for National Advanced Strategic Industries

Han Jung-ae, Policy Committee Chair of the Democratic Party, sponsored the so-called 'Three Water Management Bills' on June 16, which aim to prioritize water supply for national high-tech strategic industries such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, and artificial intelligence (AI). The core provisions include establishing a legal obligation to disclose the water usage of AI data centers and laying the foundation for the convergence of water, energy, and AI management.

Chair Han announced on this day that she had sponsored three related amendment bills: the Waterworks Act, the Act on the Promotion of Environmental Technology and Environmental Industry, and the Framework Act on Water Management.

Statement by Han Jung-ae, Policy Committee Chair of the Democratic Party - Yonhap News

Facilities such as AI data centers and semiconductor factories consume electricity and large volumes of water equivalent to the needs of a small city, making it necessary to manage water and energy in an integrated manner.

To address this, the frequency for reviewing the validity of the National Water Supply Master Plan will be shortened from the current five years to two years, enabling the nation to promptly reflect rapidly changing water demand conditions.

Additionally, by amending the Act on the Promotion of Environmental Technology and Environmental Industry, data centers in Korea will now be required to prepare and disclose information on their water consumption and water use efficiency.

The amendment to the Framework Act on Water Management stipulates that the government must ensure a stable water supply for national high-tech strategic industries such as semiconductors, AI, and secondary batteries, which use three to five times more water than traditional industries.

Chair Han stated, "In the era of climate crisis and AI, we must shift the paradigm of resource management by integrating water and energy—which have previously been managed separately—into a unified policy framework and incorporating AI technology." She added, "We will provide legal and institutional support to ensure that the convergence of water, energy, and AI does not remain a mere technical discussion, but leads to tangible outcomes that the public can truly experience."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.