Free Flow

and development. Water-related issues are inextricably

intertwined with economic, social and environmental

issues, and as global issues (for example in the form

of water disasters stemming from climate change),

they require the close cooperation of all the relevant

players, including governments, international institu-

tions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and

the public and private sectors, if they are to be solved

or managed. The key role of effective water resources

management in Korea’s development can provide

a good example to developing countries seeking

ways to develop and manage their water resources.

Moreover, at the core of this effective water manage-

ment has been K-water, which from its founding has

been working in cooperation with related organiza-

tions and NGOs. This cooperation has not only been

in the area of water resources management, but also in

the area of cooperation with countries concerned with

economic development.

Soyanggang Dam case is that it employed a domestic company

to undertake the large-scale project, thereby promoting indus-

trialization and strengthening the government-business ties that

became the hallmark of Korea’s development.

More recently, since 2006, the Government through the Ministry

of Environment has enabled investments from the private sector into

the sewerage business. The objective of this measure is to increase the

competitiveness of the sewerage business through the incorporation

of private sector funds and technology. Through this public-private

partnership, investments of KRW 243.8 billion won (US$220 million)

have been made in the sewerage of Gimpo City,

and plans are in place

to invest KRW 172.3 billion (US$150 million) in Gunja City’s sewer-

age.

According to 2011 figures, among the 496 sewage disposal plants

that handle over 500 tons of waste daily, 70 per cent operate through

consigned management while the remaining 30 per cent are directly

operated by local governments. Among these, 17 per cent, or 85 loca-

tions, are build-transfer-operate projects.

As Korea’s development experience shows, effective, cooperative

water resources management has been an essential part of growth

The Soyanggang Dam exemplifies the government-business cooperation at the heart of Korea’s development

Image: K-water

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