North Korea releases water from Hwanggang Dam without notice

North Korea released water from the Hwanggang Dam into the Imjin River without prior notification on the evening of July 20. South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment detected the release through satellite imagery analysis around 8:47 p.m.

The ministry stated that the release likely occurred as a precautionary measure due to anticipated heavy rainfall in the Imjin River basin on July 20 and 21, which could cause flooding and overflow from the Hwanggang Dam. Consequently, the water level at the Seungil Bridge, upstream of South Korea's Gunnam Dam, rose to 0.77 meters by that night and is expected to continue increasing.

South Korea's authorities are monitoring the situation closely. If the water level surpasses the 1-meter evacuation threshold, patrols will be conducted downstream of the dam, and residents and visitors will be evacuated. This unannounced water release follows a pattern of North Korea failing to provide advance notice, despite an agreement made in October 2009 after a previous unannounced release in September 2009 resulted in casualties downstream.

Since 2013, North Korea has ceased providing prior notification for dam releases, particularly as inter-Korean relations have deteriorated. Song Ho-seok, Director of Water Resources Policy at the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, assured that measures are in place to prevent damage to residents in border areas through satellite imagery analysis and water level monitoring at Seungil Bridge.