North Korea Suspected of Releasing Water from Dam, Causing River Levels toRise in South Korea
Seoul, South Korea – The South KoreanMinistry of Environment has confirmed that the Imjin River, a major transboundary waterway between North Korea and South Korea, has experienced a significant widening of its downstream channel, raising suspicions that North Korea may have released water from its Hwanggang Dam.
Satellite imagery captured at 4:00 AM on August 22nd revealed the widening of the riverbed, prompting the Ministry to conclude that the Hwanggang Dam, located upstream in North Korea, was likely responsible for the sudden increase in water flow.
This incident has caused concern in South Korea, particularly in the area surrounding the Imjin River. The water level at the Bisung Bridge, situated within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, has risen close to the 7.5-meter mark, triggering a watch level emergency response. The Han River Flood Control Station reported that the water level at Bisung Bridge reached 7.27 meters at 4:10 AM before receding to 7.04 meters by 6:20 AM.
The Ministryof Environment, upon detecting signs of water release from the Hwanggang Dam, immediately alerted nearby government agencies, military units, and activated emergency response protocols.
The Imjin River, which flows through the DMZ and serves as a natural border between North and South Korea, has been a source of tension in the pastdue to North Korea’s unpredictable water management practices.
In 2020, North Korea released water from the Hwanggang Dam without prior notice, causing significant flooding in South Korea. This incident led to widespread criticism of North Korea’s lack of transparency and cooperation in managing shared water resources.
Whilethe current situation has not yet escalated to the level of the 2020 incident, the recent water release has raised concerns about North Korea’s intentions and its potential impact on South Korean communities living along the Imjin River.
The South Korean government has expressed disappointment that North Korea did not provide advance notificationof the water release, highlighting the importance of communication and cooperation in managing shared water resources.
Experts have pointed out that the Hwanggang Dam is a crucial infrastructure project for North Korea, providing irrigation and hydroelectric power. However, its operation has also been a source of tension with South Korea, particularly due to the lackof transparency and coordination in water management.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between North and South Korea, where even seemingly routine activities like water management can become a source of conflict. It also underscores the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing transboundary issues, particularly in the context of shared resources.
The South Korean government is closely monitoring the situation and has urged North Korea to provide timely notification of any future water releases from the Hwanggang Dam to minimize potential damage and ensure the safety of communities living along the Imjin River.
【来源】https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20240822000800881?section=nk/index&input=rss
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