President Lee Myung-bak (center) is briefed on an interim plan for the four-river restoration plan on Apr. 27.The government announced an interim plan for its four-river restoration project Monday (Apr. 27), aimed at securing sufficient water supplies, upgrading water quality and reviving ecosystems, as well as boosting the regional economy.

The meeting, presided over by President Lee Myung-bak and attended by the heads of the Land, Environment, Agriculture and Culture Ministries, as well as three other related government agencies, was to evaluate all plans drawn up for the restoration project so far.

The project to develop the Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeongsan Rivers flowing through the country''s major urban, industrial and farming areas is a key part of the 50 trillion won (US$37 billion) Green New Deal, a set of policies the government announced earlier this year aimed at laying the groundwork for the country''s green growth.

Green growth is defined as achieving sustainable economic growth by developing low-carbon, eco-friendly industries.

First, the four-river restoration project calls for the construction of dams and reservoirs that can store up to 1.25 billion cubic meters of fresh water and greatly raise water quality by 2012.

Two dams and eight reservoirs are to be built on the Nakdong River, while three reservoirs will be built on both the Geum and Han Rivers. Two further reservoirs will be constructed on the Yeongsan River.

This plan to build dams and reservoirs is critical, as the government estimates the country will experience a shortfall of 800 million tons of water by 2011, and one billion tons by 2016.

Also under the interim plan, the Environment Ministry is to improve 90 percent of the water in the country''s rivers by 2012, by controlling and preventing water pollution.

The Culture Ministry for its part is set to revive four rivers with a cultural touch. For one, the ministry will breathe new life into the four rivers and surrounding areas by restoring historical and cultural heritage sites near the rivers. In addition, up to 1,411km of dedicated cycling paths will be built along the rivers, with boat cruises planned to create new tourism opportunities, turning the rivers into centers for culture and leisure and prompting "green growth" in the local economy.

The government is hoping that around 190,000 jobs can be generated through the river restoration project. A final plan will be announced by the end of May, after a series of public hearings and consultations with related ministries and agencies. The construction work will then begin in September, after Korea''s rainy season.