As the damage from flooding due to sudden heavy rains increases, there are growing calls to expedite river maintenance projects. The river maintenance project for the Hyongsan River among national rivers has passed the preliminary feasibility study and is set to be commissioned soon. The industry points out that while damage is concentrated in tributaries of national rivers and local rivers, the lack of funding from local governments is delaying the maintenance.
According to the Ministry of Environment and the construction industry on the 13th, the Ministry of Environment is expected to issue the Hyongsan River environmental maintenance project in Pohang to Gyeongju early next year. The total project cost is 802.8 billion won (fully funded by the government).
The Hyongsan River maintenance project is designed to prevent flood damage through the maintenance of river embankments (49.8 km) and sediment channel maintenance (13.6 million cubic meters) as well as the reconstruction of seven bridges along the national river Hyongsan, which passes through downtown Pohang and Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province. The Ministry of Environment is expected to divide the bidding into three sections.
A Ministry of Environment official related to river planning noted, "As next year's budget has not been finalized, we cannot provide specifics yet," adding, "The Hyongsan River maintenance project is planned to be a large-scale undertaking for maintaining national rivers."
The Hyongsan River maintenance project passed the preliminary feasibility study of the Ministry of Economy and Finance in January this year. According to the preliminary feasibility study report from the Korea Development Institute (KDI), the benefit/cost ratio (B/C) of the Hyongsan River maintenance project was calculated at 0.79, indicating that economic viability has not been secured. However, a comprehensive evaluation including policy and regional balanced development analysis (AHP) resulted in 0.572, deeming the project's implementation appropriate. Preliminary feasibility studies typically require a B/C ratio of at least 1.0 and an AHP score of at least 0.5 to determine project viability.
During the typhoon "Hinnamno" in 2022, the local river Naengcheon, a tributary of the Hyongsan River, flooded, inundating the production facilities of POSCO and Hyundai Steel. Additionally, an apartment parking lot nearby was submerged, leading to the death of a resident, resulting in severe damage to both public facilities and private properties.
The construction industry is paying attention to news of large-scale river maintenance projects being commissioned since the Four Major Rivers Project. Generally, large construction companies do not participate in small-scale infrastructure projects below 100 billion won, but the Hyongsan River maintenance project is around 80 billion won. Currently, Hyundai E&C, Dongbu Corporation, Kolon GLOBAL, and others are reported to be closely watching.
A civil engineering official from a construction company stated, "Since there have been no large-scale river maintenance projects following the Four Major Rivers Project, we have not paid much attention," adding, "The scale of the Hyongsan River maintenance project is significant, and we are considering participation."
Some argue that maintenance is necessary due to the majority of damage from heavy rains occurring in local rivers. According to the report published this month by the National Assembly Budget Office, among rivers that experienced flood damage in the last five years (2020–2024), 93.6% (an average of 669 sites per year) were local rivers.
However, the maintenance rate for local rivers has not improved. The maintenance rate, which stood at 48.07% in 2019, remained at 48.78% in 2023. Rivers are categorized as "national rivers" and "local rivers" according to law. National rivers are those that are crucial for national preservation or the economy, managed by the Minister of the Environment. Local rivers are closely related to local public interests and are managed by regional heads such as metropolitan mayors and governors.
The Budget Office cited the decrease in budget support from the central government to local governments and the transfer of local river-related projects to local governments in 2020 as reasons for the low maintenance rate of local rivers.
Lee Byeong-cheol, a budget analyst at the Budget Office, stated, "As heavy rains are becoming more frequent, it is necessary to improve the maintenance rates of national and local rivers and establish infrastructure to respond to urban flooding," adding, "It is essential to enhance inter-departmental coordination and cooperation among the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and others to increase the effectiveness of flood response."