2. Reason for proposal

As complex water problems such as unprecedented flooding, drought, and deterioration of water quality have recently appeared due to enlarged climate changes and an increase in the number of impervious surfaces caused by  urbanization, the Act on the Promotion of and Support for Water Circulation was established (Law No. 19758, Established and promulgated on October 24 2023; Enforced on October 25 2024) was established to promote healthy circulation of water by comprehensively evaluating and analyzing the entire water cycle and by implementing integrated countermeasures; therefore, it is intended to prepare the matters delegated by the law in time and the matters required for such matters for effective execution of them.

3. Main contents

a. Water Circulation Facilities (Article 2 of the Draft)

- Additional water circulation facilities such as those belonging to the agricultural production infrastructure and water-friendly facilities are prescribed in addition to those which are already prescribed under the Act, including water reuse facilities, water pollution prevention facilities, water supply and sewerage facilities, water resource development facilities, groundwater development and utilization facilities, and runoff groundwater utilization facilities.

b. Basic National Policy for the Promotion of Water Circulation (Articles 3 to 5 of the Draft)

- The proposed Enforcement Decree stipulates the matters to be included in the strategies and basic policies which the Minister of Environment should develop in order to promote a comprehensive and planned circulation of water resources, and the method of announcing them.

c. Designation, Change, Notification, etc. of Water Circulation Promotion Zones (Articles 6 to 11 of the Draft)

- The proposed Enforcement Decree stipulates the criteria for the Minister of Environment’s designation of water circulation promotion zones, the method of their notification, the hearing of opinions, and the procedure for proposing designations of and changes to water circulation promotion zones.

d. Matters related to Comprehensive Plans for the Promotion of Water Circulation (Articles 12 to 15, Article 18 of the Draft)

- The Enforcement Decree provides the matters to be included by the Minister of Environment in the comprehensive plans for designating water circulation promotion zones and the related procedures, including the methods of notification.

e. Fact-Finding Research (Article 17 of the Draft)

- The proposed Enforcement Decree stipulates the scope, procedures, methods, etc. of fact-finding researches to be conducted by the Minister of Environment to ensure the efficient establishment and promotion of the Basic Policy for National Water Circulation Promotion and the Comprehensive Plan for Water Circulation Promotion.

f. Implementation Plans of Water Circulation Promotion Projects (Article 20 of the Draft)

- The proposed Enforcement Decree further stipulates the matters to be included in the plans established by an entity responsible for executing a water cycle promotion project in a water cycle promotion zone.