Gyeonggi Province Invests Total 12.85 Billion Won in Drainage Improvement Projects Across 5 Cities and Counties...Secures Additional 5.8 Billion Won in National Funding

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province announced on the 25th that it has secured an additional 5.8 billion won in national funding for drainage improvement projects to prevent flood damage, and will invest a total of 12.85 billion won—including the existing budget of 7 billion won—this year.

The 'drainage improvement project' involves installing drainage facilities such as pump stations and drainage channels to prevent flood damage during the monsoon season and typhoons on farmland in low-lying areas or near river valleys with flood-affected areas exceeding 50 hectares.

While the project is crucial for minimizing agricultural damage and maintaining farm household income, it is fully supported by national funding, leading other cities and provinces to also make significant efforts to secure their budgets.

The province explained that it was able to secure additional funding by visiting the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs nine times through August this year to actively explain the necessity of the project.

With the secured budget, the province plans to begin drainage improvement projects in 8 districts across 5 cities and counties in the province covering 554 hectares this year and complete them by 2023. The target areas include 3 districts in Pyeongtaek (Naecheon, Hansan, and Samjeong, 234 hectares), 2 districts in Paju (Huam and Jangjeong, 136 hectares), 1 district in Hwaseong (Dokjeong, 76 hectares), 1 district in Anseong (Woljeong, 52 hectares), and 1 district in Yeoju (Weonbu, 56 hectares).

Kim Chung-beom, Director of the Agriculture, Maritime and Fisheries Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, said, "We will make active efforts to start drainage improvement projects early so that farmers in the province can engage in their livelihoods with peace of mind."