North Korea opened the sluice gates of the Hwanggang Dam on the Imjin River upstream and released water on the 5th. Once again, they did not notify our side in advance.
The Ministry of Environment stated that signs of water release from the Hwanggang Dam were detected in images taken by satellite around 11:30 a.m. on the same day. The Ministry is monitoring the inter-Korean border area using satellites.
It is assumed that the water was released in advance because heavy rain is expected in the North Korean Imjin River basin this weekend. It is reported that there was again no advance notice.
Previously, in September 2009, North Korea released water from the Hwanggang Dam without notification, resulting in casualties downstream in the Imjin River on our side. The two Koreas agreed to give advance notice when releasing water from the Hwanggang Dam in October of the same year. Advance notice was given in 2010 and 2013; however, they have been opening the dam gates without notification since then.
The water level downstream in the Imjin River has risen due to the release from the Hwanggang Dam. As of 2:40 p.m., the water level at the northernmost point of the Imjin River on the southern side, the Pilsung Bridge in Yeoncheon County, was 1.16 m, exceeding the evacuation standard for visitors (1.0 m).