• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.230-230
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• 2015

When and why do states cooperate in international basins? In recent years, there have been increasing attempts to apply international relations theories such as realism and neo-liberal institutionalism in understanding prospect of cooperation among sovereign states over shared rivers. Realists of hydropolitics argue that fate of cooperation resides in hands of hegemons and distribution of aggregate power among riparian states. Such pessimistic contention has been challenged by neo-liberal institutionalists, especially through regime theory. However, regime theory barely explains why and how cooperation emerges in the first place prior to regime formation. Therefore, the research suggests the game theory from neo-liberal institutionalism as an alternative theoretic approach. The accountability of Oye (1986)'s theoretical framework is illustrated through the case of cooperation in the Rhine River Basin.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.223-223
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• 2015

This research evaluates cooperation in transboundary rivers with special reference to the Great Mekong Subregion (GMS) program in the Mekong River Basin. The benefit sharing approach has been deployed as a theoretical framework to analyze the extent to which the riparian states have achieved cooperation. The river basin governance led by the Mekong River Commission since 1995 has not adequately performed due to non-participation of upstream countries and the lack of law enforcement mechanism. Since the late 1980s, China has undertaken hydropower development unilaterally, thereby triggering discomfort from the Lower Mekong countries. The GMS program has led China to strengthening economic ties with the downstream countries through hydropower development as investors and developers. The program has also supported the establishment of economic corridors, and removal of physical barriers and has paved the way for cooperation in other sectors, such as the environment, agriculture, tourism and energy. There are challenges for further cooperation, including the development gaps between China and the downstream countries, political tensions and environment impacts of hydropower dams in the river basin. The Mekong River Basin shows the possibility of cooperation through benefit sharing. Sharing benefits accrued from the river and beyond the river between China and the downstream countries have enhanced economic ties, thereby consolidating cooperation each another.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.177-177
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• 2023

The impacts of dams on transboundary flow are complex and challenging to project and manage, given the potential moderating influence of a broad range of anthropogenic and natural factors. This study presents a global meta-analysis of 168 studies that examines the effect magnitude of dams on downstream seasonal, annual flow, and hydrological extremes risk on 39 hotspot transboundary river basins. The study also evaluates the impact of 13 factors, such as climate, basin characteristics, dams' design and types, level of transboundary cooperation, and socioeconomic indicators, on the heterogeneity of outcomes. The findings reveal that moderators significantly influence the impact of dams on downstream flow, leading to considerable heterogeneity in outcomes. Transboundary cooperation emerges as the key factor that determines the severity of dams' effect on both dry and wet season's flows at a significance level of 0.01 to 0.05, respectively. Specifically, the presence of water-supply and irrigation dams has a significant (0.01) moderating effect on dry-season flow across basins with high transboundary cooperation. In contrast, for wet-season flow, the basin's vulnerability to climate extremes is associated with a large negative effect size. The various moderators have varying degrees of influence on the heterogeneity of outcomes, with the aridity index, population density, GDP, and risk level of hydro-political tension being the most significant factors for dry-season flow, and the risk level of hydro-political tension and basin vulnerability to climate extremes being the most significant for wet-season flow. The results suggest that transboundary cooperation is crucial for managing the impacts of dams on downstream flow, and that various other factors, such as climate, basin characteristics, and socioeconomic indicators, have significant moderating effects on the outcomes. Thus, context-specific approaches are necessary when predicting and managing the impacts of dams on transboundary flow.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.353-363
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• 2008

This study aims to set up the appropriate strategies for the transboundary river between South and North Korea. We took the example of Bukhan River which penetrates both Koreas to illustrate this idea, and applied Game Theory to get the solutions. Previous studies have mainly dealt with counterplan in case of confliction. On the contrary, this study has the premise that there could be much more cooperations. The analysis shows that the best choice is to develop the basin together. For example, they can make up development plan for Imjin basin which ranges from North Korea and South. As the result, South Korea can get the stable water volume in the river and North Korea can have the chances for economic revitalization.

• Water for future
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.28-33
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• 2013

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2005.09b
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• pp.1002-1003
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2005.05b
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• pp.492-496
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• 2005

River is characterized by its transboundary flow not recognizing human political, administrative, and social boundaries. Water management is also strongly connected to land management. Those features reflect emerging difficulties in managing contemporary water resources. This study consists of three parts to identify theoretical concept of river management and to show how river management has differently practiced in South Korea and the United States. In part one, the Korean case shows the water quality oriented river basin management in the 1990s. The second part reveals the disappearing pattern of river basin management and the spreading watershed movement in the United States. The final part compares basin-scale river management practices of the two countries and evaluates the differences between them. The United States concentrates more on watershed management rather than river basin management while South Korea understands that both river basin and watershed are important. Therefore, the Korean case is recognized as more complicated than the American case.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.5B
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• pp.505-514
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• 2008

The Imjin and North Han River are sharing watershed between South and North Korea. In Imjin river basin, the April 5th dam and Hwanggang dam which are already constructed or on constrution, causes problems in water supply in the downstrean area. At the same time, in the North Han River basin, the Imnam dam is being operated for diversion to Anbyeon Youngman Hydropower Plant and it gives rise to conflict between South and North by reducing streamflow in the North Han River of South Korean side. Therefore, a cooperative framework needs to be built for settling the pending issues. In this study, based on the theory of conflict resolution in the international shared river basin, the practical alternatives are suggested. These approaches are expected to help in preparing reasonable resolution ahead of seeking political decision. Also, in order to preparing consistent and reasonable river management measures, the South-North shared river management commission was suggested.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2022

The debate of South-North transboundary rivers must be expanded from the existing cooperation in water resources towards cooperation within ecosystem conservation. Regarding the Han and Imjin rivers confluence water system, the nature of the estuarine ecosystem must be conserved considering the aspect of climate change. Furthermore, the agenda of maintaining continuous inter-Korean communication and cooperation should focus on ecosystem conservation, including conserving migratory species that inhabit both Koreas. Notably, within the Han and Imjin rivers confluence, transboundary rivers are abundant legally protected species such as Grus vipio, Anser fabalis, Anser cygnoides, Platalea minor, Lutra lutra, Prionailurus bengalensis which suggests a strong need for a debate regarding habitat conservation. This study analyzed the ecosystem conditions and environmental aspects within the confluence of Han and Imjin rivers. In addition, this study provided step wise approach of ecosystem conservation that consider conditions for potential direct inter-Korean cooperation. The inter-Korean cooperation mentioned in this study will be developed into legitimate cooperation once the results from monitoring the ecosystem of transboundary rivers, awareness raising are exchanged.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• v.1
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• pp.491-494
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• 2006

The west coast of Northern Borneo is strongly influenced by Asian monsoon. Present research using the satellite ocean color (OC) remote sensing has identified some interesting oceanographic phenomena in this area that could be related to the harmful algal blooms (HAB). Occurrence of seasonal upwelling event was noticed off the northern tip of Borneo Island that could be related to the northeast monsoon wind. Harmful algal blooms by Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum occurred since 1976. Subsequently, during December 2003, there was a report of new HAB by Cochlodinium polykrikoides in Northern Borneo. Analysis of OC images revealed that the Cochlodinium bloom had very high chlorophyll a signal and strong absorption characteristics. Results showed that the Baram River plume and upwelling at Northern Borneo were the source of nutrient for the Cochlodinium bloom in the offshore region. Ocean color images of 2004 showed that the bloom from Northern Borneo had crossed the Balabac Straits, reaching Palawan Island in Philippine. Due to the possibility of transboundary HAB problem, we propose a regional HAB monitoring network for an effective HAB management.