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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WATERImage: K-waterThe Soyanggang Dam exemplifies the government-business cooperation at the heart of Korea’s developmentSoyanggang Dam case is that it employed a domestic companyto undertake the large-scale project, thereby promoting industrializationand strengthening the government-business ties thatbecame the hallmark of Korea’s development.More recently, since 2006, the Government through the Ministryof Environment has enabled investments from the private sector intothe sewerage business. The objective of this measure is to increase thecompetitiveness of the sewerage business through the incorporationof private sector funds and technology. Through this public-privatepartnership, investments of KRW 243.8 billion won (US$220 million)have been made in the sewerage of Gimpo City, 18 and plans are in placeto invest KRW 172.3 billion (US$150 million) in Gunja City’s sewerage.19 According to 2011 figures, among the 496 sewage disposal plantsthat handle over 500 tons of waste daily, 70 per cent operate throughconsigned management while the remaining 30 per cent are directlyoperated by local governments. Among these, 17 per cent, or 85 locations,are build-transfer-operate projects. 20As Korea’s development experience shows, effective, cooperativewater resources management has been an essential part of growthand development. Water-related issues are inextricablyintertwined with economic, social and environmentalissues, and as global issues (for example in the formof water disasters stemming from climate change),they require the close cooperation of all the relevantplayers, including governments, international institutions,non-governmental organizations (NGOs) andthe public and private sectors, if they are to be solvedor managed. The key role of effective water resourcesmanagement in Korea’s development can providea good example to developing countries seekingways to develop and manage their water resources.Moreover, at the core of this effective water managementhas been K-water, which from its founding hasbeen working in cooperation with related organizationsand NGOs. This cooperation has not only beenin the area of water resources management, but also inthe area of cooperation with countries concerned witheconomic development.270