The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Wansup) announced on July 9 that Vice Minister Kum Hanseung would inspect flood preparedness sites during the summer heatwave. 

On the morning of the day when the temperature exceeds a high of 34℃, Vice Minister Kum will visit the Mihogang River maintenance project site in the Gangoe District of Cheongju. In the afternoon, he will inspect the cleaning and dredging work of storm drains and the operation of a rainwater pumping station in the Cheongwon-gu area of Cheongju. 

This inspection has been arranged for the newly appointed Vice Minister of Environment (appointed on June 27, 2025) to assess the on-site status of river and urban flood response amid the ongoing heatwave. 

During this inspection, Vice Minister Kum plans to urge the local government (Cheongju City) to ensure proper operation of rainwater pumping stations during heavy rainfall, strengthen management such as inspection and cleaning of storm drains, and promptly install fall-prevention devices for manholes in flood-prone areas. 

In addition, he plans to request that utmost efforts be made to ensure worker safety, including the prevention of heatstroke, as outdoor working conditions deteriorate due to the continuing heatwave.

Meanwhile, the Mihogang River maintenance project in the Gangoe District, which Vice Minister Kum will inspect on the morning, is aimed at widening the river to lower the water level at the confluence of the Mihogang and Byeongcheoncheon rivers. The Ministry of Environment has invested a total project cost of KRW 70.2 billion. 

Construction on this project began in 2017 and is currently in its final stages, with completion scheduled for the end of this year. After completion, the flood level* is expected to decrease by 0.63 meters, significantly reducing the risk of flooding in nearby homes and farmland. 

* The highest expected water level of a river during a flood.

Vice Minister of Environment Kum Hanseung stated, “Although the scorching heat continues day after day, heavy rain can fall at any time during the summer due to the effects of climate change.” He added, “To prevent flood damage, we will continue to thoroughly inspect and manage everything from rainwater pumping stations to even the smallest storm drains and individual manholes.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com