Buyeo Governor Lee Yongwoo: "No Administrative Support for Jicheon Dam Construction if Residents’ Sacrifice is Forced"

Calls for Formation of a Co-Prosperity Consultative Body,
Restorative Compensation, and Zero Additional Regulations

On the 31st, Lee Yong-woo, head of Buyeo County, held a press conference regarding the government's promotion of the Jicheon Dam construction and stated, "We cannot cooperate with the project unless the residents' rights and interests are protected and development measures for Buyeo are finalized, as it only forces the sacrifice of the county residents."

On August 31, Lee Yongwoo, the governor of Buyeo County, outlined a conditional acceptance stance regarding the government's plan to construct the Jicheon Dam, emphasizing that protecting residents' right to livelihood and property is the highest priority.

Governor Lee held a press conference in the Seodong Briefing Room at the Buyeo County Office on this day, stating, "The government's decision to proceed with dam construction must not equate to a decision for the sacrifice of Buyeo's citizens," and emphasized, "Based on the authority and responsibility entrusted to me by the county residents, I will devote all administrative capacity to protecting their livelihoods and property rights."

He continued, "I do not unconditionally deny the national necessity for the Jicheon Dam," adding, "However, it is absolutely unacceptable that the entire Chungcheong region would share the benefits of dam construction while only Buyeo County residents bear the burdens and regulatory restrictions."

Governor Lee particularly made it clear that there can be no cooperation with the project unless residents' rights and interests are first protected, and measures for Buyeo's development are confirmed in advance.

"Buyeo County's position is 'conditional acceptance,' where we will cooperate with the project only after residents' rights and local development measures are confirmed in advance," he explained. "The government must officially recognize Buyeo County residents not simply as entities to be compensated, but as equal stakeholders in the Jicheon Dam project."

To this end, he called for the formation of a 'Jicheon Dam Co-Prosperity Development Consultative Body' involving South Chungcheong Provincial Government, Buyeo County, Cheongyang County, the project implementer, and residents' representatives.

Governor Lee stressed, "Through this consultative body, residents' opinions should be fully reflected in all key issues—including the dam's scale, the area to be submerged, compensation measures, water allocation, environmental responses, and local support programs. Compensation must not stop at simply calculating the price of land and buildings; it should ensure the restoration of residents' lives."

He further stated, "A complete survey of residents' damages must be conducted beforehand, covering not only submersion and farming losses but also the full scope of changes to environment, transportation, commercial activity, and living conditions. The government must provide group relocation sites, houses, farmland, and living convenience facilities so that relocated residents can maintain their communities within the region."

Governor Lee especially emphasized, "Compensation standards should include not just the value of land, but all the values of life that residents will lose." He expressed a strong will to realize resident-focused administration that safeguards the lives and futures of the community, rather than simply following government decisions.

He also called for the creation of institutional mechanisms to ensure that the benefits generated from dam construction and operation are returned to the local area.

"If water is taken from Buyeo, then water and the future must first be returned to Buyeo," the governor said. "A 'Jicheon Dam Buyeo County Co-Prosperity Fund' should be established to ensure that the benefits from water supply and dam operations are shared directly with the residents."

He went on to say, "Legal support programs alone cannot resolve residents' damages or local development issues. The government must finalize a 'Buyeo Region Special Support Package' that goes beyond statutory support before moving forward with the project."

In addition, Governor Lee expressed strong regret, stating, "Throughout the process of promoting the Jicheon Dam, there was no prior notice or consultation from the government." He argued, "A dam created to save the region must not become instead a dam of regulations that impedes local development. The 'Zero Additional Regulation Principle' must be formally stipulated in writing."

Governor Lee Yongwoo reiterated, "If the government does not formally commit in writing to Buyeo County's demands, we will not provide any administrative support for the dam construction," and stressed, "We will respond firmly to any version of the Jicheon Dam project that is premised on the sacrifice of Buyeo County residents."

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