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. Prescribing matters pertaining to the submission of documents needed by the governors of Si/Do and the heads of Si/Gun/Gu in order to propose the designation/change of water circulation promotion zone (Article 2 of the Draft).

B. Prescribing matters pertaining to the formation and operation of an evaluation committee in order to review the designation/change of water circulation promotion zone when the governors of Si/Do and the heads of Si/Gun/Gu suggest such designation or change (Article 3 of the Draft).

C. Prescribing the format of the application form to be submitted for restricted actions in the water circulation promotion zone following the notification of the comprehensive water circulation plan (Article 4 of the Draft).

D. Prescribing the format of documents to be submitted for approval application of implementation plans established by project operators to implement a promotion project in the water circulation promotion zone, and specifying the review agency when the Minister of Environment intends to approve the plans or their revisions (Article 5 of the Draft).

E. Prescribing the subjects and range of quality certification of products/equipment for use by the Minister of Environment to certify the quality of water circulation facilities, application form, commissions, quality certification procedures, methods of marking quality certifications, cancellation of quality certifications, etc. (Articles 6 through 11 of the Draft).

F. Specifying the document to be submitted to be designated as a specialist training institution and prescribing the format of application and designation forms (Article 12 of the Draft).