This 2009 New York Times article describes the national controversy over the then-proposed Four Rivers Restoration Plan.
It was a multi-purpose “green” growth project on the Han River (Korea), Nakdong River, Geum River and Yeongsan River in South Korea.
This $19.2 billion public works project was spearheaded by former South Korean president Lee Myung-bak. It was designed to remake the country’s four longest rivers, an ambitious and divisive undertaking that spurred a national debate over what constitutes green development.
President Lee claimed the project would generate thousands of jobs, improve water supply and quality, and prevent flooding, while providing a model for environmentally sound development.
But critics called it a political boondoggle, saying it would be a typical civil engineering-style environmental disaster. They sued to stop it.
The project was declared complete on October 21, 2011.
If any REVITALIZATION readers in South Korea would care to bring us up to date on the current condition of these rivers, please do so in the Comments section below.