Utilization of International Watercourses on the Korean Peninsula

Yeonghwan Chang, JSD (2020), University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, is a public official at the National Assembly Secretariat of the Republic of Korea. He has written reports on the bills and budgets at the various committees since 2005.

• PrefaceAcknowledgementsList of Figures and TablesAbbreviations1 Introduction2 The Watercourses Shared by the Two Koreas1 Overview1.1 Facts1.1.1 The North Han River1.1.2 The Imjin River1.2 Characteristics of the Watercourses Shared by the Two Koreas1.2.1 Geographical Characteristics1.2.2 Topographic Characteristics1.2.3 Climate Change and Meteorological Characteristics1.2.4 Military Confrontation Area1.3 The Importance of International Watercourses on the Korean Peninsula1.3.1 Heartland of the Korean Peninsula1.3.2 Wildlife Sanctuary and Biodiversity Repository1.3.3 Water Source of the Metropolitan Area1.3.4 Power Source through Hydropower Generation1.3.5 Conservation of Cultural Heritages and Tourism2 The Distinctive Features of Inter-Korean Relations2.1 History of the Two Koreas2.2 The Dual Nature of Inter-Korean Relations2.2.1 The Constitution and the Laws in South Korea2.2.2 The Inter-Korean Basic Agreement2.2.3 Joining the UN2.3 How Should We Deal with the Shared Watercourses Issues between the Two Koreas?2.3.1 What Is an International Watercourse?2.3.2 The Relations between the Two Koreas on the Shared Watercourses2.3.3 East-West German Relations2.3.4 Are the Watercourses Shared by the Two Koreas International Watercourses?3 International Water Law and Cases1 International Water Disputes1.1 Water in the World1.2 International Watercourses in the World1.3 Water Disputes and Cooperation over International Watercourses2 Development of International Water Law2.1 Sources of International Law2.2 Formation of International Water Law2.2.1 Overview2.2.2 The Helsinki Rules on the Uses of the Waters of International Rivers (1966)2.2.3 Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses (1997)3 General Principles of International Water Law3.1 Theories and Doctrines of International Water Law3.1.1 Theory of Absolute Territorial Sovereignty3.1.2 Theory of Absolute Territorial Integrity3.1.3 Theory of Limited Territorial Sovereignty3.1.4 Theory of Community of Interest3.2 Principles of International Water Law3.2.1 Substantive Obligations3.2.2 Procedural Obligations4 The Cases4.1 The Diversion of Water from the Meuse Case (1937)4.1.1 Facts4.1.2 Summary of the Judgment4.1.3 Lesson4.2 Trail Smelter Case (1938)4.2.1 Facts4.2.2 Summary of the Judgment4.2.3 Lesson4.3 Lake Lanoux Arbitration Case (1957)4.3.1 Facts4.3.2 Summary of the Judgment4.3.3 Lesson4.4 Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros Project Case (1997)4.4.1 Facts4.4.2 Summary of the Judgment4.4.3 Lesson4.5 Pulp Mills Case (2010)4.5.1 Facts4.5.2 Summary of the Judgment4.5.3 Lesson4 Water Dispute on the Korean Peninsula1 Water Dispute History1.1 The North Han River Basin1.1.1 North Korea’s Dam Construction1.1.2 Effects of the Dam’s Construction in the North Korean Territory1.1.3 South Korea’s Dam Construction in Response1.2 The Imjin River Basin1.2.1 North Korea’s Dam Construction1.2.2 Effects of Dam Construction in North Korean Territory1.2.3 South Korea’s Dam Construction in Response1.2.4 South Korea’s Other Actions2 North Korea’s Actions under the International Law2.1 North Korea’s Limited Water Rights2.2 North Korea’s Actions Affect South Korea2.3 The Breach of the International Law2.3.1 Breach of the Obligation to Consult with Other Riparian States2.3.2 Breach of the Principle of Equitable and Reasonable Utilization2.3.3 Breach of the Obligation Not to Cause Significant Harm2.3.4 Breach of the Obligation to Cooperate2.3.5 Breach of the Obligation to Protect International Watercourses and Their Ecosystems2.3.6 Breach of the Obligation of Prior Notification2.4 The Limitation of the International Law2.4.1 Dispute Settlement under the International Law2.4.2 Limitation2.4.3 Lesson5 Proposal for the Improved Cooperative Management of Korea’s International Watercourses1 Necessities of the Improved Cooperative Management1.1 Limitation of Solution Under International Law1.2 Cooperation for Disaster Prevention1.3 Conflict caused by the Decrease in Water Volume1.4 The Conservation of Biodiversity1.5 The Establishment of Peace on the Korean Peninsula1.5.1 Building Trust between the Two Koreas and Easing Military Tension1.5.2 First Step Toward Revitalizing Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation2 Cooperative Management Efforts2.1 The North Han River2.1.1 Background2.1.2 Progress2.1.3 Results2.2 The Imjin River2.2.1 Background2.2.2 Progress2.2.3 Results2.3 The Joint Investigation of the Han River Estuary2.3.1 Background2.3.2 Progress2.3.3 Results2.4 Joint Cooperative Body in the Past2.4.1 The Imjin River Flood Control Council2.4.2 The Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue2.5 Conclusion3 Obstacles to Successful Cooperation between the Two Koreas3.1 General Reason3.1.1 Constraints Factor on Trust Formation3.1.2 Conflicts of Interest3.1.3 Sovereignty3.1.4 Limitations on Enforcement3.2 Military Confrontation3.2.1 dmz3.2.2 Landmines3.3 Concern about Regime Collapse3.4 Sanctions against North Korea3.4.1 International Level3.4.2 Domestic Level3.5 Legal and Institutional Restrictions3.5.1 Land Use Regulation3.5.2 Regulation Concerning Inter-Korean Relations3.5.3 Problems with the South Korean Legal Framework3.6 Financial Burden3.7 National Consensus4 Cooperation Cases Studies on the International Watercourses4.1 United Germany4.1.1 Background4.1.2 Progress4.1.3 Specific Cases4.1.4 Lesson4.2 North Korea, China, and Russia4.2.1 Facts4.2.2 Border River Management between North Korea and China4.2.3 Border River Management between North Korea and Russia4.2.4 Lesson4.3 The United States and Canada4.3.1 Background4.3.2 The Boundary Waters Treaty4.3.3 The International Joint Commission4.3.4 The Columbia River Treaty4.3.5 Lesson4.4 The United States and Mexico4.4.1 Background4.4.2 The International Boundary and Water Commission (ibwc)4.4.3 Treaties and Minutes4.4.4 Lesson4.5 The States on the Mekong River Basin4.5.1 Facts4.5.2 Water Conflicts4.5.3 The Mekong River Commission4.5.4 Lesson5 Strategies for Improved Cooperative Management5.1 Step-by-Step Approach5.1.1 Pursue in Line with the Development Stage of Inter-Korean Relations.5.1.2 Start with Small and Short-Term Projects5.1.3 North Korea’s Needs and Interests First5.1.4 Start with the Technical Field5.1.5 Pursue in Line with International Sanctions5.2 Package-Driven Approach: Linkage between Projects5.2.1 Interdisciplinary Resources5.2.2 Linkage Between Upstream and Downstream Issues5.2.3 Baskets of Benefits: Win-Win Strategy5.3 Multilateral Approach5.3.1 Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation5.3.2 Local Governments5.3.3 Establishing a Foundation for Promoting Exchange and Cooperation in the Private Sector5.3.4 International Organization and ngo5.4 Within the Framework of Unification Policy and National Territory Policy5.4.1 Efficient Utilization of National Land5.4.2 Comprehensive National Land Plan5.4.3 Comprehensive Development Plan in the Border Area5.4.4 To the Extent that the Environment Is Not Damaged6 Specific Cooperation Project6.1 Disaster Prevention6.2 Cooperation in Using the Shared Water Resources6.3 Joint Hydrological Investigation and Data Sharing6.4 Uniformity of Metrological and Technical Standards6.5 Technical Aid (Including Dam Repair or New Power Generation Facility Installation)6.6 Forest Restoration6.7 Conservation and Utilization of Ecosystems6.8 Preservation and Restoration of Historic Sites7 Way to Improve Operational Efficiency7.1 Setting Up a Joint Management Plan7.2 Necessity to Conclude a Treaty7.3 Efficient Joint Cooperative Management Body: Standing Border Commission8 Role of the National Assembly8.1 Overview8.1.1 Legislative Facts8.1.2 Importance of Legislation8.1.3 Legislative Trends in the National Assembly8.1.4 Ambiguity of the Law8.2 Areas that Require Legislative Efforts8.2.1 Joint Water Resources Management8.2.2 Inter-Korean Communication and Cooperation8.2.3 Financial Support8.2.4 Special Economic Zone or Special Administrative Zone8.2.5 Joint Inter-Korean Border Commission8.3 Special Committee on Inter-Korean Affairs in the National Assembly6 ConclusionBibliographyIndex