< A delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay is walking on the pedestrian bridge of the Ipo Weir. >
Impressed Delegates Walking on the Pedestrian Bridge of Ipo Weir, the Han River
On November 11, delegates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay subsequently visited Gangcheon Weir and Ipo Weir of the Han River. Four of the delegates, Nilda Eokoseuta Gareusete, or the Asia Director, Guadalupe Peurara de Peulrorentin, or a manager from International Cooperation Division, Seperino Valdez Peralta (Korean name: Bak Dae Su), or Paraguay Ambassador in Korea, and the first secretary of the Ambassador, visited the site of Gangcheon Weir and attended a briefing session regarding the subject. They expressed an interest on the principles of weirs and the business operations. In order to help their understanding and to provide explanation in details, eight officials were present onsite including Cheol Mun Kim, the director of Business Promotion Headquarters of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, Seung Kyum Kim, International Public Relations Specialist, the field director of Gangcheon Weir, and the construction supervisor of Ipo Weir. Then, they had a walk on a pedestrian bridge of the Gangcheon Weir and stood on the observatory deck overlooking the river that flows beautifully.
The delegates then moved to the Ipo Weir. As walking on the pedestrian bridge of Ipo Weir, which boated its stunning design, they witnessed the scene of the finished weir. They were in awe exclaiming, “I cannot believe this business was completed in only two years.” The director, Cheol Mun Kim explained, “The people in this town were in perpetual suffering before the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project due to frequent flooding. After the maintenance, the worries disappeared as flood stage has fallen.”
Paraguay Hopes to Introduce Korea Technology to its Waterway Project
Since 2008 Paraguay has been pushing forward Paraguay – Parana waterway project which is in total length of 554km.
However, there are still a number of illegal residential facilities near the Paraguay River intensifying environmental pollution.
Paraguay having a lot of homework to solve problems with much opposition from environmental groups and floods or flooding, considers Korea’s Four Major Rivers Restoration Project as a distinguished role model. The director, Gareusete stated, “The problem with floods and flooding is serious. I would like to seek for advices as the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project seems to be a good example.”
As these delegates said after completed inspections on the spot, “We have learned about the advanced technology of water management through the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project,” they expressed a will to import and apply Korea technology to their river-relatedbusiness in Paraguay. In particular, as being interested in river dredging technology, they asked for the active cooperation of the government. The Asia Director and the director from International Cooperation Division of Paraguay said to have plans to establish the specific collaboration system after enough consultation with their principal operating agency.
As shown with this field trip of Paraguay delegates of the Foreign Affairs Department, the worldwide officials are paying attention to the performance of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project.
Especially since it was noticed that the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project reduced flood damage this summer by the countries that are suffering related to water, they are showing a great interest in techniques for water management of Korea.
Accordingly, it is increasingly expected that the water management technology of Korea will soon be exported to countries around the world.
< Foreign Affairs Delegates of Paraguay smiling brightly at the observatory of the Gangcheon Weir >
