March 29, 2024
News

Water levels rise in South as North Korea opens dam floodgates without warning

Risk to South Korea low according to ministry, but opening Hwanggang Dam in past has led to flash floods and deaths

North Korea opened dam floodgates along the Imjin River near the inter-Korean border this week, according to Seoul’s unification ministry, raising the risk of further inundation in the South as monsoon rains lash the peninsula.

“North Korea appears to continue opening and closing the floodgates at Hwanggang Dam following heavy rain,” a ministry official told NK News on Tuesday, referring to the DPRK dam about 17 miles (27 km) from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). “There was no notice from North Korea to the South regarding releasing water from that dam.”

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