Minister Kim Seong-hwan of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment on the 27th addressed concerns about water supply for the semiconductor industrial complex expected to be created in the Gwangju–South Jeolla area, saying, "Through about 1.5 billion tons of water that can be stored in seven major dams, we can supply 3.37 million tons per day," and added, "It is also under review that we can secure additional water of about 1 million tons or more per day."
The Minister on this day posted on social media (SNS) an article titled "A word on water supply for the semiconductor industrial complex to be established in Gwangju–South Jeolla," saying, "As the minister in charge of water and power supply, I would like to share what the government is reviewing," and said this.
The Minister said, "Recently, some media have raised concerns about water supply in connection with the creation of a semiconductor industrial complex in the Gwangju–South Jeolla area," and added, "The articles reported that, due to a shortage of water in the Yeongsan River and Seomjin River basins, options such as using agricultural reservoirs, supplying water from other regions, and seawater desalination are being reviewed."
He then said, "The basin areas of the Yeongsan River and Seomjin River are smaller than those of the Han River or Nakdong River. However, in the Yeongsan–Seomjin basins, about 1.5 billion tons of water can be stored in seven dams, including Seomjin River Dam and Juam Dam," and added, "The domestic, industrial, agricultural, and river maintenance water these dams can supply is 3.37 million tons per day."
The Minister also said, "Through measures such as adjusting some dam water systems and using spare capacity, it is under review that we can secure additional water of about 1 million tons or more per day," and added, "Supplying water from other regions or seawater desalination, as mentioned in reports, differs from what the government is currently reviewing."
He continued, "The semiconductor industry is an industry in which stable water and power supply is more important than anything else," and said, "The government, too, is prioritizing these foundational conditions in the process of reviewing related plans."
The Minister said, "I will provide more detailed explanations through an official announcement next week."