SEOUL — North Korea has reportedly begun to release water from Hwanggang Dam near the inter-Korean border without prior notification, potentially raising tensions between the two Koreas. The South Korean Environment Ministry confirmed Tuesday that satellite imagery indicated an increase in water levels downstream on the Imjin River.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the water released by North Korea does not appear to be in large volumes. The ministry's analysis suggests that should North Korea release water at a rate of 500 tons per second, it would take approximately nine hours for the water to reach the Pilseung Bridge in South Korea, located at the northernmost part of the Imjin River. Despite the release, water levels and flow rates at the bridge have remained stable at 0.48 meters and 30 cubic meters per second, respectively. The last time North Korea informed the South of releasing water from the dam was in 2013. This lack of communication is a growing concern for South Korea, which has repeatedly urged the North to provide advance notice to avoid potential damages amid escalating tensions over North Korea's weapons tests and other provocative actions.