At the first verdict for 4 lawsuits of claiming cancellation against the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, the Seoul Administrative Court raised the hand for the Project, with judging that there is no legal flaw on the project.
The 6th Administrative Office of the Seoul Administrative Court (associate judge: KIM Hong-Do) ruled again the plaintiff (6,129 persons includng Mr. Gyeong) who sued ‘Han River Restoration Project’ for stopping and canceling the project.
The justice department decided, “Main agent of administration has comparatively large freedom to build the administrative plan. It is regarded that there are no definite conclusion for the Project does not make any benefits in flood protecton, securing water, water quality enhancement and more”
Most of all, the justice department added, “Before the establishment of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project Plan, central government verified that there is no legal flaw or procedural techicality according to relevant ordinaces like National Fiscal Laws, Rivers Laws, Water Resource Laws, Environmental Impact Laws and the Cultural Properties Protection Law through legitimate deliberation”
Moreover on the issues of flood protection, securing water, water quality improvement, imact on ecosystem, job creation, and bsiness value, the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project has sufficient legitimacy and necessity, the court gave verdict like above.
The court indicated that the Han River basin needs any preparation for flood protection, thanks to the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, there have been effects of flood protection, and it does not seem to be more dangerous possibility of inundation out of the project.
On the matter of securing water, considering Korea’s typical climatic characteristic, the purpose of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is reasonable and lawful method to obtain the point.
About the water quality matter, according to water quality modeling, the water quality of water from the Namhan River and the Paldang Dam verified are reported to be improved than before the project. As to ecosystem matters, also there are no ground to conclude that ecosystem had disruptive damages, when considering creation of ecological wetlands, nature-type fishways and removal of illegal vinyl greenhouses. About job creation and economic value, the court decided there are no problems as being alleged.
This verdict was the first decision on the serial of action for nullity again the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project so that it has considerable meaning.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs stated that they admire this verdict by the High Court and they will do the best for successful conclusion.
The jugement against the action for nullity against the Han River Restoration Project
December 3rd, the justice department (The 6th Administrative Office of the Seoul Administrative Court) refused the suit
