'Ara' Waterway finally opens

President Lee Myoung Bak

The Kyung-In 'Ara' Waterway, the first inland canal in South Korea, opened on May 25th. The waterway links the Han River through Seoul to the Yellow Sea.

The project began in 1995, and the waterside cycle path opened last November. The waterway will prohibit flood damage, realize 'Green Logistics' and invigorate the tourism and leisure industry.

The Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM) and Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) held the opening ceremony for the Ara Waterway at Gimpo Terminal with 1,000 people attending, including President Lee Myoung Bak, Minister Kwon Do Youp, and President of K-Water Kim Kun Ho.

President Lee said in a speech, "I'm proud of this grand opening of the Kyung-In Ara Waterway as a milestone for a green future in South Korea. Seoul could be transformed into a new port city from now on."

"The Ara Waterway will be utilized as not only international wharf for passengers and cargos, but also tourist attractions. It will also help the 2014 Asian Game succeed in bringing tourists from surrounding cities."

He added "Vessels contain CKDs or machines will sail through the waterway to China, Japan, Russia and South East Asia, thus it helps raise production annually by KRW 3 trillion and creates 26,000 job."

President Lee also said, "As the Ara Waterway has been opened, a drainage canal also launched, which could control flood water for one hundred years." < 김보람 기자 brkim@ksg.co.kr >