Donggang Dam is not Approved

The Ministry of Environment on October 24 concluded that they would not allow the construction of 'Donggang Dam' in Kangwon province after surveying the area. The dam was proposed to reserve water with a size of about 700 million tons which was to be completed by 2001.
According to the Ministry, it dispatched 18 delegates, twice, last June and September around the Donggang region to study the ecological impact of the dam, including wild birds and animals, and came to the negative assessment.
The research team said, 'Limestone caves and valleys are spread all around the area housing rare birds such as mandarin ducks, and this should be protected rather than developed.' They added, 'Especially these kinds of wildlife are hard to see in South Korea so there should be a long-term consideration.'
If the Ministry does not give its approval to develop the area, the dam construction will be scrapped.
However, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation emphasized, 'We have not yet received any notification of a negative assessment, therefore, we will still proceed with the project step by step without hurrying.'