Sejong, December 07 - The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) and the 2050 Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth (2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission) jointly held the "Urban Flood Response Policy Workshop for Adaptation to Climate Changes" on November 29. This workshop was attended by Environment Minister Han Wha-jin, Deputy Executive Director of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission Joo Dae-young, and experts in climate change adaptation and city flood to discuss the direction of future policies.

The experts gave their presentations on the theme, followed by a policy debate where they discussed measures against climate change and the prospect of increased heavy rainfalls. Participants provided numerous suggestions during the workshop, including managing measurement data on Hangang River basins more methodically and building a flood forecast and warning system that covers all of the main and branch streams based on those data. A wide range of policy suggestions that may improve flood prevention capability will be submitted, including arranging specific measures for specific regions and considering past maximum flood levels when setting flood prevention goals.

Climate change adaptation has been a big issue since the heavy rainfalls that hit the metropolitan area in August and floods caused by Hinnamnor in September. Preventing urban floods is especially important for Korea because its population and buildings are concentrated in cities that have mostly developed along the rivers.

In August, the Ministry of Environment announced the "Urban and River Flood Preventive Actions" and launched the "Urban Flood Response and Planning Group" on September 1 to implement the actions swiftly. The Ministry of Environment plans to demonstrate a digital twin-based AI flood forecasting system for Dorimcheon Stream in Seoul and Naengcheon Stream in Pohang during the next flood season, June 21-September 20, and extend the coverage nationwide and promptly build flood preventive infrastructures such as rainwater tunnels in Gangnam Station and Gwanghwamun and underground tunnels in Dorimcheon Stream.

As the control tower for carbon neutrality, green growth, and climate change adaptation measures, the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission appointed civilian members in October and reviewed the progress of the 2021 climate change adaptation measures. They plan to exploit these results and develop much-reinforced measures sometime next year.

Han Wha-jin, Minister of Environment, said, "Climate change is causing heavier rainfalls and floods, and countering them has become more important than ever. We will thoroughly review experts' opinions and try to develop preventive measures against city and river floods and create a safe water environment."

Joo Dae-young, Deputy Executive Director of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission, said, "Preventing floods is an important task in addition to GHG reduction and carbon neutrality in fighting climate change." He added, "The 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission will play a pivotal role in improving our 'Climate Change Adaptation Measures' through inter-departmental collaboration." nnecessary regulations."

Contact: Kwon Yong-jin, Deputy Director

Office for Urban Flood Response / +82-(0)44-201-7548

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr