Abstract

With the year 2014 marking the 70th anniversary of Korean Independence and the division of Korea, a plethora of socio-economic and political discourses on the unification of the two Koreas have been on the table. Water issues are among the imminent issues to be dealt with on the path to unification of the Korean Peninsula. Shared water resources are a potential source of conflict between the two Koreas and their neighboring countries, China and Russia. Therefore, it is timely to delve into the myriad of issues involved in water resources management in preparation for unification. This paper aims to analyze the challenges and opportunities for water resources management of the shared rivers between South and North Korea, namely the Imjin and the North Han Rivers, and the rivers that will become transboundary after unification, such as the Yalu and the Tumen Rivers.

Quotes from the Paper

“The relationship between the two Korean governments regarding the Imjin River and the North Han River has been bumpy, and it seems unlikely that there will be close cooperation between them in the future without significant changes to the status quo. The incident on the Imjin River in 2009 indicates the typical behavior of an uncooperative upstream country (North Korea).”

“Cooperation on the shared rivers has been highly susceptible to the political atmosphere between the two Koreas over the last several decades, and mistrust between the parties still prevails. More time and patience will be required for the two Koreas to return to the negotiating table and discuss important issues that impact the local population that lives along the border areas.”

“The reunification of the two Koreas may come in the future. In the course of socio-economic and political transformation, the unified government of Korea should ensure equal access to clean water and proper sanitation services alongside adequate water-related disaster prevention…At the international level, unified Korea should encourage trust building with its neighboring countries, especially China, Japan, Russia, and Mongolia.”

AuthorSeungho Lee is Professor at the Graduate School of International Studies, Korea University, Seoul, Korea. Professor Lee previously worked as Lecturer (Assistant Professor) for the School of Contemporary Chinese Studies, University of Nottingham (2004-2008) after completing his postdoctoral research at the Korea Institute of Construction Technology (KICT). As specialist in water policy with reference to China, Korea and Europe, Professor Lee has published a number of research and working papers on water issues of China, Korea, and Europe, both in English and Korean. His research interests are transboundary water management, private sector participation in the water sector, water policy, and water governance. His major publications include ‘Benefit sharing in the Mekong River Basin,’ Water International (2015), ‘Wastewater Treatment Transfer-Operate-Transfer Project in China,’ KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering (2015), and ‘Development of Public Private Partnership Projects in the Chinese Water Sector,’ Water Resources Management (2010). He is the author of book, Water and Development in China (New Jersey, World Scientific, 2006). Professor Lee holds BA Asian History from Korea University, MA Chinese Area Studies and MA Environment and Development from SOAS, University of London. He completed his PhD in Geography from SOAS, University of London focusing on China’s Water Policy.