A Review of the Master Plan for Four Major Rivers Restoration Project

Lately the master plan for the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project has been released by the Ministry of Land and Maritime Affairs and relevant ministries. According to the master plan compared with the interim report made on 15 December 2008, the number of weirs for irrigation has increased from 5 to 16, the amount of dredging has increased from 220 million cubic metres to 570 million cubic metres, and the total cost estimated has increased from 14 trillion won to 22 trillion won. A critical review of the master plan by some research group will be summarized focused upon budget, objectives, securing water resource, dredging, and flood control etc. After various experts' forums and field surveys, it is concluded that the government should implement a joint-research program on assessing the impact of the project together with experts and citizens' groups as co-partners, in order to truly save or restore the four major rivers.