2.5

National Management Strategies for Shared Rivers 공유하천 관리방안 연구 Kwang-Mook Kim, Seung-Bok Lee, Dong-Jin Choi, and Young-Jin Kim April 2002․1 vol.(Main Report 223 pages, Appendix 202 pages)․Korean

The division of the Korean peninsula has been a critical issue in managing water resources. Basin-wide water management plan has never been set up on transboundary rivers between North and South , that is, Imjin River and North . Furthermore, political systems divided under different regimes have brought serious disputes such as concerns with Geumgang Mountain Dam and the great flood of the Imjin River basin has been frequently occurred. For example, at the Imjin River basin, where one-third of basin area belongs to , suffers from inundation of farming land almost every year. In South Korea, the amount of flood damage during last 3 years is estimated to reach upward of 1.6 trillion won. Because of geographic weakness of downstream areas in both rivers, South Korea will be faced with dangerous problems in all aspect of water management including water security, water quality, flood control, and basin-wide ecosystem without any united efforts between two . North Korea is currently constructing several dams on the upper reaches of Imjin River and North Han River. Blocking the upper stream of Imjin River would cause severe water shortages in its lower areas such as and Yeoncheon in South Korea. On the other hand, release of water from those dams in the monsoon season would cause devastating floods. In the worst-case scenario, Imnam Dam on a northern tribute of Han River, which flows across the border into South Korea and even through , could send millions of tons of water crashing into South Korea. After the Inter-Korean Summit, the relationship of North and South Korea has improved and the cooperative management of shared rivers emerged as a feasible joint work project. United efforts on transboundary rivers will be of benefit to both of North and South Korea. Joint management work in the upper Imjin River could give fundamental resolution to chronical flood damage and also supply power and water to the Gaesung Industrial Complex. Integrated management of upstream dams in North Han River including Imnam Dam, Peace Dam and Hwacheon Dam could make synergy effects in water use and power supply. This study aims at drawing out strategic policy alternatives in two Korean transboundary rivers, that is, Imjin River and North Han River. Firstly, physical status of two river basins and socio-economic situation of the boundary region are investigated. The history of water use and river management is also reviewed. Then, the problems of management are analyzed with regard to flood control, water supply and conservation of watershed environment. Secondly, general theory of transboundary river management and foreign experiences of international river management are studied. Foreign cases are classified into 3 categories according to the characteristics of water conflicts and physical conditions of rivers. Special concern is laid on international laws and institutional problems. Finally, policy alternatives for each river are proposed. To draw out feasible management strategies, we supposed 4 different political situations from the hostile tension stage to the reunification stage. Basic principles which have to keep in all stages are proposed with different conditional strategies in each stage. This study could give useful information to policy makers and experts who work for shared river management and could be good sources for further academic studies on shared water resources and Inter-Korean relationship.