Sources reported that the water level at the North’s Hwanggang Dam bordering South Korea has risen to near full capacity since May. (image: Yonhap)
PAJU, June 29 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s military is keeping close tabs on water levels at a dam near the inter-Korean border, and is ready to step in if Pyongyang suddenly discharges water down the Imjin River.
Sources reported that the water level at the North’s Hwanggang Dam bordering South Korea has risen to near full capacity since May. An abrupt discharge of water from Hwanggang could flood South Korea’s Gunnam Dam, located downriver.
The Imjin River flows from north to south, crossing the Demilitarized Zone. It is the seventh largest river in Korea. (image: Wikimedia)
The North Korean dam is located about 42 kilometers north of the inter-Korean military demarcation line, and its reservoir is estimated to contain between 300 million and 400 million tons of water.
Six South Koreans were killed in September 2009 after North Korea released a massive amount of water from the border dam without prior warning.
The Imjin River flows from north to south, crossing the Demilitarized Zone. It is the seventh largest river in Korea. It was also the site of a major battle during the Korean War: The Battle of the Imjin River.
Gunnam Dam. (image: Yonhap)
Imjin River. (image: Flickr/ Doo Ho Kim)
Imjin River. (image: Flickr/ Doo Ho Kim)
Image Credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
