K-water seeks ‘Water Detente’ with N.K.

The state-run Korea Water Resources Corp., also known as K-water, is seeking to improve inter-Korean relations by pursuing various water resource development projects in the North.

The K-water Research Committee for Korea Unification and the North Korea Water Society hosted a discussion Tuesday on plans to improve the North’s water infrastructure and cooperatively manage transnational rivers, with the goal of achieving a so-called “Water Detente” between the two Koreas.

“As President Park Geun-hye emphasized during the World Water Forum held in April, reconnecting suspended shared waterways like the Imjin River and Bukhan River will act as a new starting point for fostering a North-South reconciliation,” said K-water CEO Choi Gye-woon.

“Particularly with global warming, the two sides may face more disputes over shared water resources,” said Chung Chong-wook, co-vice chairman of the Presidential Committee for Unification Preparation, emphasizing the need to address such issues to improve inter-Korean relations.

The “Water Detente Discussion” ― attended by more than 200 government officials, academics and lawmakers ― included a general evaluation of North Korea’s water infrastructure and the various joint development projects that the South could potentially pursue.

K-water put forward a number of initiatives including not only establishing a joint body to manage and exchange information related to the shared rivers in the North but also establishing a secure drinking water system, renovating old dams and setting up new flood prevention facilities in the country.

“Water is an important resource that touches upon the various problems faced by North Korea, as it is closely related to the country’s energy, electricity and food security,” said Lee Sang-jun, senior researcher at the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements, in his presentation.

“Bridging the infrastructural gap between the North and South is an important task that must be realized in preparation for any form of unification,” he said.

By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)