KIM Chung-Sik, the governor of Changnyeong County
Connecting the Upo Wetland ? Bugok Spa ? the Nakdong River links, aims to be the best tourism attraction in the country
What kinds of damages concerned to the Nakdong have happened to the locals of Changnyeong County?
I have lived by now in Namji-eup since I was born. Thanks to everyday life which I have lived with the Nakdong River until high school graduation, I can say that I know the Nakdong than other else. In my childhood, I remember the depth of the river was deeper than 3 to 4 meter at least. Of course, we could see the shells and uses the water as potable purpose. I don’t remember when, but the Nakdong stated to be covered with earth and soil. Last summer, I had been in the Nakdong River on motor boat; the screw was stricken so much with the rocks or sediments on the river’s bed so that our boat could barely maneuver in trouble. That was because the depth of water was merely 40 to 50 cm.
Last year’s rice-planting season, not a few farmers had been in trouble because of running short water. Even reservoir dried up, we couldn’t help but irrigate water from the Nakdong. However when we check the situation of the river, there was also dried riverbed just with some puddles left. Like this, raised riverbed came to threaten neighboring resident area and farmlands with inundation danger in summer; meanwhile, chronic water shortage that resulting in water quality deterioration - even unacceptable as agricultural purpose let alone drinkable water - occurs as a vicious circle in every winter. That is the reality that we are facing now.
Addition to that, since the embankments in the Nakdong are almost made of sandy soil, they run a risk of collapse. Including the damage cases caused by typhoons with names of Maemi (2003), Ewiniar (2006), until now, loss of lives recorded 13; flood victim 250 households; damaged public facilities were estimated by 901 cases with equivalence to KRW 130.4 billion.
Tell us about the reason why Changnyeong-gun has been in strong position to revitalization for the Nakdong.
While the Nakdong passes through 105 km within the areas of Gyeongnam Province, Changnyeong County takes as much as 60 km sector out of that throughout 6 wards. By dredging
What is the expected effect on Changnyeong County after Revitalization the Nakdong?
Our county has the Upo Wetland which is a famous natural reservoir, the biggest wetland in the country and also known as registered to Ramsar Convention. Bugok Spa, Hwawang Mountain, and Canola Festival of the Nakdong River: we have many tourist attractions. If the enterprise of revitalization the Nakdong River takes effect of forming riparian ecosystem taking the weirs as centered and the bike path named ‘Nakdonggang Chilbaek li (700 li* thru the Nakdong River: li ?traditional unit of length in Korea)’ is finished, people are to be expected to enjoy their leisure time much more than before. As the enterprise creating Eco-belt of the Nakdong affiliated with neighboring wetlands, the Nakdong of Changnyeong County will be transformed into comprehensive tourism complex equipped with ecosystem, wetland, and water sports facilities in harmony.
Any plan affiliated with run-down ‘Bugok Spa Complex’?
Bugok Spa Complex is one of the top spas boasting 78 degree Celsius of underground thermal water, with having positioned as the best spa complex in the country hosting 5 million visitors annually since 1977. However, owing to the obsolete facilities and dispersed tourist’ favorites forward overseas, visitors to Bugok have gradually bur definitely declined in its number.
These resources of tourism are scheduled to be affiliated with the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. Through building 8km-long new bike path from Changnyeong Sports Park to Imhaejin of the Nakdong with budget of KRW 2.5 billion, we will make the environment for bicycle affinity groups to enjoy cycling. If it is connected with the links of the Upo Wetland, Bugok Spa Complex and the Nakdong River, it will be surely soared as the uprising tourist attraction nationally.
Central government reportedly directly comes to carry on the project. Is there anything you want from it?
Successful implementation on the work is the primary priority. I think that the names of the weirs constructed in our county are necessarily reconsidered to be changed with reflection of county residents’ sentiment. As much we Changnyeong County holds 60 km out of the Nakdong River, the 18 Zone (the Haman Weir) and the 20 Zone (the Hapcheon Weir) hopefully need to be renamed sooner or later.
