SEOUL: North Korea appears to have released water from a dam north of the inter-Korean border again without giving prior notice to the South, officials said on Sunday (Oct 19).
Based on satellite imagery, the North appeared to have discharged water from Hwanggang Dam, located upstream of the Imjin River, at about 3pm local time (2pm in Malaysia), according to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.
The North is presumed to have released water to control the border dam’s water level as the region has received rainfall since Oct 10, including on Oct 17 and Oct 18.
The water level of South Korea’s Pilseung Bridge, located in the northern part of the Imjin River, surpassed 1m earlier in the day, according to the Han River Flood Control Office. A water level of 1m requires the evacuation of visitors in the river area.
In 2009, the North agreed to provide prior notice before discharging water from Hwanggang Dam and sent such notices intermittently in 2010 and 2013, but has not issued any since.
Its unannounced water releases have threatened the safety of residents in South Korea’s border areas. - The Korea Herald/ANN
