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ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE FRAMEWORK ACT ON WATER MANAGEMENT

Presidential Decree No. 33479, May 23, 2023

 Article 1 (Purpose)
The purpose of this Decree is to prescribe matters mandated by the Framework Act on Water Management and matters necessary for the enforcement thereof.
 Article 2 (Names of basin management commissions)
The name, location, and jurisdiction of a basin management commission (hereinafter referred to as "basin management commission") under Article 20 (1) of the Framework Act on Water Management (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") shall be as specified in the attached Table.
 Article 3 (Composition of Presidential Water Commission)
(1) "Public official prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 21 (3) 1 of the Act means the following persons:
1. The Minister of the Korea Forest Service;
2. The Administrator of the Korea Meteorological Administration.
(2) "Public institution ... prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 21 (3) 2 of the Act means the following public institutions:
1. The Korea Rural Community Corporation established under the Korea Rural Community Corporation and Farmland Management Fund Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Korea Rural Community Corporation");
2. The Korea Water Resources Corporation established under the Korea Water Resources Corporation Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Korea Water Resources Corporation");
3. The Korea Environment Corporation established under the Korea Environment Corporation Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Korea Environment Corporation");
4. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
(3) The President shall take into account gender equality when commissioning members specified in the items of Article 21 (3) 3 of the Act.
 Article 4 (Dismissal of Presidential Water Commission members)
If a member specified in the items of Article 21 (3) 3 of the Act falls under any of the following categories, the President may dismiss such member:
1. If the council member is unable to continue to perform his or her duties due to a mental or physical disorder;
2. Where the member is found to have committed irregularities in connection with his or her duties;
3. Where the member is deemed unsuitable as a member due to neglect of duties, loss of dignity, or any other reason;
4. Where the member fails to recuse himself or herself although he or she falls under any of the categories specified in the subparagraphs of Article 5 (1).
 Article 5 (Exclusion of, challenge to, or recusal of, Presidential Water Commission members)
(1) If a member (hereafter in this Article referred to as "member") of the Presidential Water Commission established under Article 20 (1) of the Act (hereafter referred to as the "Presidential Water Commission") falls under any of the following categories, he or she shall be excluded from deliberation and resolution by the Presidential Water Commission:
1. If the member or his or her current or former spouse is a party to the relevant case (hereafter in this Article referred to as "party to the case") or is a joint holder of any right or obligation with the party to the case;
2. If the member is the current or former relative of a party to the case;
3. If the member has provided any testimony, statement, advice, or service (including subcontracting) or has conducted any research or appraisal with respect to the relevant case;
4. If the member or a corporation to which the member belongs is or was an agent of a party to the case;
5. If the member is involved in a disposition or omission that causes a dispute (hereinafter referred to as "water dispute") due to different opinions on the development, utilization, management, etc. of water resources (applicable only to deliberation and resolution on matters specified in subparagraph 6 of Article 22 of the Act).
(2) If the circumstances indicate that it would be impracticable to expect fair deliberation and resolution by a member, a party to the case may file a motion for challenge with the Presidential Water Commission, which shall decide whether or not to accept the motion by resolution. In such cases, the member against whom the motion has been filed shall not participate in the resolution.
(3) If a member finds that he or she is subject to exclusion on any ground specified in the subparagraphs of paragraph (1), the member shall recuse himself or herself from deliberation and resolution on the relevant case.
 Article 6 (Water disputes mediated by Presidential Water Commission)
"Water dispute prescribed by Presidential Decree" in subparagraph 6 (c) of Article 22 of the Act means the following water disputes:
1. Water disputes that the chairperson of the Presidential Water Commission deems likely to have a significant impact on the public interest among water disputes that have arisen within the basin;
2. Water disputes related to the details of a water management agreement under the former part of Article 38 (1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "water management agreement").
 Article 7 (Composition of basin management commissions)
(1) "Public official prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 23 (3) 1 of the Act means the following persons:
1. The head of a river basin environmental office and the head of a regional environmental office in charge of the jurisdiction of each basin management commission;
2. The head of a flood control office in charge of the jurisdiction of each basin management commission;
3. The head of a water environment research institute in charge of the jurisdiction of each basin management commission;
4. Deleted; <Dec. 28, 2021>
5. One person recommended by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs from among public officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs who have experience in the management of agricultural water within the jurisdiction of each basin management commission;
6. One person recommended by the Minister of the Korea Forest Service from among the heads of regional forest offices in charge of the jurisdiction of each basin management commission;
7. One person recommended by the Administrator of the Korea Meteorological Administration from among the heads of regional meteorological offices in charge of the jurisdictions of each basin management commission.
(2) "Public institution ... prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 23 (3) 2 of the Act means public institutions specified in Article 3 (2) 1 through 3 (or public institutions specified in subpararaphs 1 through 4 of that Article in cases of the Han River Basin Management Commission and the Yeongsan-Seomjin River Basin Management Commission under the attached Table).
(3) The chairperson of the Presidential Water Commission shall take into account gender equality when commissioning members specified in the items of Article 23 (3) 3 of the Act.
 Article 8 (Dismissal of basin management commission members)
Articles 4 and 5 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the dismissal or exclusion of, challenge to, or recusal of, members of a basin management commission. In such cases, "President" shall be construed as "chairperson of the Presidential Water Commission", "Presidential Water Commission" as "basin management commission", and "matters specified in subparagraph 6 of Article 22 of the Act" as "matters specified in subparagraph 4 of Article 24 of the Act", respectively.
 Article 9 (Operation of water management commissions)
(1) In principle, regular meetings of the Presidential Water Commission or a basin management commission (hereinafter referred to as "water management commission") shall be held once a quarter.
(2) If the chairperson of a water management commission intends to convene a meeting, he or she shall determine the date, time, place of the meeting and agenda items for deliberation and shall notify each member thereof at least 7 days prior to the date of the meeting; provided, the notice may be given by the day before the date of the meeting if there is an urgent reason or any other unavoidable reason.
(3) "Cases prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the proviso of Article 26 (3) of the Act means any of the following cases:
1. Where there is no time to hold a meeting due to an urgent reason;
2. Cases deemed specially necessary by the chairperson of a water management commission, such as where it is impracticable to satisfy a quorum by attendance of the commission members due to a natural disaster or any other unavoidable cause.
(4) When a water management commission holds a meeting, it shall prepare and manage minutes of the meeting that include the date and time, place, agenda items, details, and results of deliberation.
(5) If a water management commission deems it necessary for performing its duties, it may request the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, research institutes, organizations, etc. to submit materials or opinions in writing and may require relevant public officials or experts to attend a meeting to hear their opinions.
(6) Allowances may be paid or travel expenses may be reimbursed to members, experts, etc. who attend a meeting of a water management commission within the budget; provided, this shall not apply if a public official attends a meeting in direct connection with his or her duties.
(7) A member who serves as an executive secretary may be paid expenses incurred in performing the duties in addition to allowances and travel expenses under the main clause of paragraph (6).
 Article 10 (Composition and operation of subcommissions)
(1) Subcommissions by field (hereinafter referred to as "subcommissions"), including the planning-related field, the policy-related field, and the water dispute mediation field, shall be established under a water management commission pursuant to Article 26 (4) of the Act. <Amended on Jul. 19, 2022>
(2) Subcommissions shall perform the following duties with respect to matters under their jurisdiction:
1. Prior review of matters to be deliberated upon by the water management commission;
2. Professional surveys and research;
3. Dealing with other matters delegated by the water management commission.
(3) A subcommission shall be comprised of up to 15 members, including 1 chairperson.
(4) The members of a subcommission shall be designated by the chairperson of the relevant water management commission from among the members of the commission. In such cases, a member of each subcommission may also serve as a member of another subcommission.
(5) The chairperson of a subcommission shall be elected from among and by its members; provided, the chairperson of a water dispute mediation subcommission among the subcommissions shall be appointed by the chairperson of the relevant water management commission from among the members specified in Articles 21 (3) 3 (c) and 23 (3) 3 (c) of the Act.
(6) A majority of the members of a subcommission shall constitute a quorum, and any resolution thereof shall require the concurring vote of a majority of those present.
(7) Article 9 (5) and (6) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the request for submission of materials or opinions and for attendance and the payment of attendance allowances and travel expenses, which is made by a subcommission. In such cases, "water management commission" shall be construed as "subcommission ".
 Article 11 (Organization of secretariat)
(1) The secretariat under Article 26 (5) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as the "secretariat") shall perform the following duties:
1. Support for the operation of a water management commission;
2. Support for the preparation, review, consultation, and coordination of agenda items for deliberation by a water management commission and its subcommissions;
3. Professional surveys and research related to the functions of a water management commission;
4. Publicity of the activities of a water management commission and external cooperation;
5. Other duties deemed necessary by the chairperson of the Presidential Water Commission to support the performance of duties of a water management commission.
(2) The secretariat shall have 1 secretary general.
(3) The secretary general shall manage the business affairs of the secretariat under the direction of the chairperson of the Presidential Water Commission and shall give direction and supervision to the employees under his or her control.
(4) If necessary to perform the duties of the secretariat, the chairperson of the Presidential Water Commission may request the dispatch of public officials belonging to relevant administrative agencies or local governments and executive officers and employees belonging to public institutions under the subparagraphs of Article 3 (2) or institutions under Article 25 (1) 1 through 3.
 Article 12 (Operation regulations)
Except as provided in Articles 3 through 11, matters necessary for the composition and operation of a water management commission, subcommissions, and the secretariat shall be prescribed by the operational regulations of the water management commission, subject to resolution by the Presidential Water Commission.
 Article 13 (Formulation of master plans for national water management)
(1) "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 27 (1) 11 of the Act means the following:
1. International cooperation in water management;
2. Inter-Korean cooperation in water management;
3. Support for surveys, research, and technology development related to water management;
4. Evaluation of annual implementation status of master plans for national water management under Article 27 (1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "national plan").
(2) If the Minister of Environment deems it necessary to formulate or modify a national plan, the Minister may request the heads of relevant central administrative agencies; the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor"); or the heads of relevant institutions or organizations to submit materials necessary for formulating or modifying the national plan.
(3) If the Minister of Environment formulates or modifies a national plan, he or she shall, without delay, notify the heads of relevant central administrative agencies and Mayors/Do Governors of the details thereof and shall publish them in the Official Gazette or publicly announce them on the website of the Ministry of Environment.
(4) "Water management-related plan prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the main clause of Article 27 (3) of the Act means the following plans and measures: <Amended on Jun. 14, 2022; Jul. 11, 2022>
1. A master plan for riparian zone management under Article 4-2 (1) of the Act on Water Management and Resident Support in the Geum River Basin;
2. A master plan for riparian zone management under Article 4-2 (1) of the Act on Water Management and Residents Support in the Nakdong River Basin;
3. A plan for rationalizing rural water use under Article 15 (1) of the Agricultural and Fishing Villages Improvement Act;
6. A master plan for national water environment management under Article 23-2 (1) of the Water Environment Conservation Act, a plan to manage water environment of large spheres of influence under Article 24 (1) of that Act, a plan for restoring aquatic ecosystems formulated by the Minister of Environment pursuant to Article 27-2 (1) of that Act, and comprehensive measures for point pollution sources management under Article 53-3 (1) of that Act;
7. A master plan for erosion control work under Article 3-2 (1) of the Erosion Control Work Act;
8. A master plan for national waterworks under Article 4 (1) of the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act and a plan for waterworks installation and management under Article 5 (1) of that Act;
9. A long-term comprehensive water resource plan under Article 17 (1) of the Act on the Investigation, Planning, and Management of Water Resources and a river basin water resource management plan under Article 18 (1) of that Act;
10. A master plan for riparian zone management under Article 4-2 (1) of the Act on Water Management and Resident Support in the Yeongsan and Seomjin River Basins;
11. A master plan for groundwater management under Article 6 (1) of the Groundwater Act;
12. A plan concerning a waterfront development project under the main clause of Article 4 (2) of the Special Act on the Utilization of Waterfronts;
13. A comprehensive plan for nationwide sewerage system under Article 4 (1) of the Sewerage Act and a basin sewerage maintenance plan under Article 4-2 (1) of that Act;
14. A master plan for riparian zone management under Article 4-2 (1) of the Act on the Improvement of Water Quality and Support for Residents of the Han River Basin.
 Article 13-2 (Deliberation on compliance with water management-related plans)
(1) If it is necessary for deliberation on whether it conforms to a national plan under the main clause of Article 27 (3) of the Act or whether it conforms to a basin plan under Article 30 (1) of the Act (hereafter in this Article referred to as "deliberation on conformity"), the chairperson of a water management commission may request the following institutions to conduct an on-site survey or to review technical and specialized matters for deliberation on conformity:
1. The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology established under Act on the Establishment, Operation and Fostering of Government-Funded Science and Technology Research Institutes;
2. The Korea Environment Institute, the Korea Rural Economic Institute, or the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements established under the Act on the Establishment, Operation and Fostering of Government-Funded Research Institutes;
3. The Nation Disaster Management Research Institute;
4. The National Institute of Environmental Research;
5. The Korea Rural Community Corporation;
6. The Korea Water Resources Corporation;
7. The Korea Environment Corporation;
8. Other institutions recognized by the chairperson of a water management commission as having expertise in business affairs related to water management.
(2) The chairperson of a water management commission may subsidize an institution in receipt of a request for an on-site survey or review for deliberation on conformity under paragraph (1) to cover necessary expenses within the budget.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Jul. 19, 2022]
 Article 14 (Formulation of comprehensive basin water management plans)
(1) "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 28 (1) 8 of the Act means the following:
1. The promotion of the water industry in the relevant basin;
2. Evaluation of the annual implementation status of comprehensive basin water management plans under Article 28 (1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "basin plan").
(2) Article 13 (2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the procedures for formulating basin plans. In such cases, "Minister of Environment" shall be construed as "chairperson of a basin management commission", "national plan" as "basin plan", and "website of the Ministry of Environment" as "website of a water management commission", respectively.
(3) "Water management-related plan prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 30 (1) of the Act means the following plans: <Amended on Jul. 11, 2022>
1. A master plan for livestock excreta management under Article 5 (1) of the Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Excreta;
2. A master plan for total pollution load control under Article 10 (1) of the Act on Water Management and Resident Support in the Geum River Basin;
3. A master plan for total pollution load control under Article 10 (1) of the Act on Water Management and Residents Support in the Nakdong River Basin;
4. An action plan for the development of water management technologies and for the promotion of the water industry under Article 5 (3) of the Act on Development of Water Management Technologies and on Promotion of Water Industry;
5. A water reuse management plan under the former part of Article 6 (1) of the Act on Promotion and Support of Water Reuse;
6. A master plan for total pollution load control under Article 4-3 (1) of the Water Environment Conservation Act and a plan for restoring aquatic ecosystems formulated by a Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu (the head of a Gu means the head of an autonomous Gu) pursuant to Article 27-2 (1) of that Act;
7. A regional plan for erosion control work under Article 3-2 (4) of the Erosion Control Work Act;
8. A comprehensive plan for small river maintenance under Article 6 (1) of the Small River Maintenance Act and a medium-term plan for small river maintenance under Article 7 (1) of that Act;
9. A plan for waterworks installation and management under Article 5 (1) of the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act, a comprehensive plan under the former part of Article 6 (1) of that Act, and a water quality control plan for water-source protection areas under Article 8-2 (1) of that Act;
11. A master plan for total pollution load control under Article 10 (1) of the Act on Water Management and Resident Support in the Yeongsan and Seomjin River Basins;
12. A regional groundwater management plan under the main clause of Article 6-2 (1) of the Groundwater Act;
13. A master plan for sewerage maintenance under the former part of Article 5 (1) of the Sewerage Act and paragraph (2) of that Article;
14. A master plan for total pollution load control under Article 8-2 (1) of the Act on the Improvement of Water Quality and Support for Residents of the Han River Basin.
 Article 15 (Holding of public hearings)
(1) If the chairperson of a water management commission intends to hold a public hearing pursuant to the main clause of Article 31 (1) of the Act, the chairperson shall provide the following information, by means of publication in the Official Gazette or public gazette or public announce on the website of the commission or daily newspapers or by other similar means, at least 14 days prior to the date of the public hearing:
1. The purpose of holding the public hearing;
2. The date and place;
3. The summary of a draft national plan or a draft basin plan;
4. Matters regarding submission of opinions;
5. Other matters necessary for holding the public hearing.
(2) A person who has an opinion on a draft national plan or a draft basin plan may attend a public hearing to state his or her opinion in person or present his or her opinion to the chairperson of the relevant water management commission in writing or through information and communications networks.
(3) "Insignificant matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the proviso of Article 31 (1) of the Act means matters that do not affect the essential details of a national plan or a basin plan, such as miscalculation, misspelling, and omission.
 Article 16 (Application for water dispute mediation)
(1) A person who intends to file an application for water dispute mediation among persons who have an interest in a water dispute (hereinafter referred to as "parties") shall submit an application that contains the following information to a water management commission pursuant to Article 32 (1) of the Act:
1. The names (in cases of a corporation, referring to its name) and addresses of the parties, their selected representatives, and their agents;
2. The date, time, and place of the occurrence of the water dispute;
3. The progress of the water dispute;
4. The purpose and reasons for mediation.
(2) Upon receipt of an application for water dispute mediation that does not fall under the jurisdiction under Article 32 (2) of the Act, a water management commission shall transfer the details of such application to the competent water management commission within 14 days from the date of receipt of the application and shall notify the applicant of such fact in writing without delay. In such cases, the period required for transfer shall be excluded from the calculation of the period under Article 33 (1) of the Act. <Newly Inserted on Jul. 19, 2022>
(3) If a person who has filed an application for water dispute mediation (hereinafter referred to as "applicant") files an application for the modification of the purpose or reasons of such mediation in writing with the consent of the other party (hereinafter referred to as "respondent"), as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment, the chairperson of the relevant water management commission may proceed with the mediation based on the modified purpose or reasons. <Amended on Jul. 19, 2022>
(4) Upon receipt of an application for mediation under paragraph (1) or an application for modification of the purpose or reasons for mediation under paragraph (3), a water management commission shall notify such fact to the respondent in writing without delay, along with a copy of the application pursuant to Article 32 (4) of the Act. <Amended on Jul. 19, 2022>
(5) If it is necessary to supplement the application documents under paragraph (1), a water management commission may request the applicant to supplement such documents within an appropriate period fixed. In such cases, the period required for supplementation shall be excluded from the calculation of the period for mediation under Article 33 (1) of the Act. <Amended on Jul. 19, 2022>
(6) If deemed necessary, a water management commission may separate the relevant water dispute mediation cases; or if a case deems to have a relation to another case in terms of the details of the dispute, the commission may consolidate such cases for deliberation. In such cases, such fact shall be notified to the parties in writing without delay. <Amended on Jul. 19, 2022>
(7) A water dispute for which a water management commission may commence mediation procedures ex officio pursuant to Article 32 (3) of the Act shall be as follows: <Amended on Jul. 19, 2022>
1. A water dispute that directly affects the health and living environment of residents, such as the death of a person or the occurrence of a serious physical disability;
2. A water dispute deemed by the chairperson of the water management commission to require urgent mediation due to severe social conflicts.
(8) A recommendation for an agreement given by a water management commission under Article 32 (7) of the Act shall not affect the progress of mediation procedures. <Amended on Jul. 19, 2022>
 Article 17 (Selected representatives)
(1) If several persons become parties to water dispute mediation jointly, they may select up to 3 representatives from among themselves.
(2) When no representative referred to in paragraph (1) is selected, if deemed necessary, a water management commission may recommend the parties to select their representatives.
(3) If the parties select a representative pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), they shall notify a water management commission of the results thereof, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment.
(4) A representative selected pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) (hereinafter referred to as "selected representative") may conduct all acts related to the relevant water dispute mediation for the parties; provided, the representative shall obtain the written consent from the parties but himself or herself to modify the purpose and reasons for the application, to withdraw it, and to accept the mediation proposal.
(5) If a representative is selected, the parties may perform acts regarding the relevant water dispute mediation only through the selected representative.
(6) The parties who have selected a representative may dismiss or change the selected representative, if deemed necessary. In such cases, the parties shall notify the selected representative of such fact without delay and notify the relevant water management commission thereof, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment.
 Article 18 (Agents)
(1) A party may appoint the following persons as an agent:
1. The spouse, lineal ascendants and descendants, or siblings of the party;
2. An executive officer or employee of a corporation, which is the party;
3. An attorney-at-law;
4. A public official of a central administrative agency or a local government, who is appointed by the head of the relevant agency.
(2) A party who intends to appoint an agent shall file an application for appointment of an agent in the form prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment with a water management commission, along with documents certifying such appointment.
(3) An agent appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "agent") shall be separately delegated to modify the purpose and reasons for the application, to withdraw it, and to accept the mediation proposal.
 Article 19 (Procedures for water dispute mediation)
(1) If necessary for proceeding with water dispute mediation procedures, a water management commission may authorize a water dispute mediation subcommission established under Article 10 (1) to conduct a prior review of the details, facts, etc. of the relevant water dispute.
(2) A water management commission shall prepare a mediation proposal under the main clause of Article 33 (1) of the Act in the form prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment.
(3) A water management commission shall prepare a mediation report under the main clause of Article 33 (4) of the Act, including the following information, in the form prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment; in such cases, the commission shall keep the original copy of such report and shall serve the authentic copy on the parties (referring to a selected representative, if a representative is selected):
1. The case number and title of the relevant water dispute subject to mediation;
2. The names (in cases of a corporation, referring to its name) and addresses of the parties, their selected representatives, and their agents;
3. The purpose and reasons for the application;
4. The details of mediation;
5. The date of preparation.
(4) No water dispute mediation procedures conducted by a water management commission shall be disclosed; provided, such procedures may be disclosed by the concurring vote of a majority of the incumbent members.
(5) No member of a water management commission who has participated in mediation shall divulge any confidential information he or she has learned in the course of the water dispute mediation procedures.
 Article 20 (Requests for submission of materials and attendance)
(1) If a water management commission intends to request the submission of materials pursuant to Article 34 (1) of the Act or the attendance of a party or a reference witness pursuant to paragraph (2) of that Article, the commission shall do so in the form prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment.
(2) If the attendance at the designated date and time can cause trouble to work and life, a party or a reference witness who has been requested to attend pursuant to paragraph (1) may file an application for change of the date and time of attendance with the relevant water management commission in the form prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment at least 7 days prior to the date his or her attendance is requested. <Newly Inserted on Jul. 19, 2022>1
(3) Upon receipt of an application for change of the date and time of attendance under paragraph (2), a water management commission shall notify the relevant party or reference witness of whether to change the date and time of attendance in the form prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment within 7 days from the date of receipt of the application. <Newly Inserted on Jul. 19, 2022>
(4) A water management commission may pay travel expenses and other necessary actual expenses within the budget to a reference witness who has attended a meeting of the commission pursuant to paragraph (1). <Amended on Jul. 19, 2022>
 Article 21 (Expenses for mediation)
Expenses incurred in water dispute mediation procedures by a water management commission shall be borne by the parties; provided, the following expenses shall be excluded:
1. Expenses incurred for a business trip by a member, an employee, or a related expert of a water management commission;
2. Expenses incurred for a business trip by a reference witness who is requested to attend pursuant to Article 34 (2) of the Act;
3. Postal charges incurred in proceeding with water dispute mediation procedures.
 Article 22 (Termination of mediation)
(1) A water management commission may dismiss without prejudice an application for water dispute mediation in any of the following cases:
1. Where the application for mediation has filed by a person who has no direct interest in the details of the application;
2. Where the applicant is deemed to have filed the application for mediation for the purpose of obtaining unjust profits;
3. Where the applicant has filed an application for mediation on the same case at least twice without modifying the purpose and reasons for mediation;
4. Where the applicant has already undergone or is undergoing litigation procedures or mediation procedures under other statutes.
(2) A water management commission may terminate water dispute mediation procedures after resolution by the commission in any of the following cases; provided, the commission shall do so in any case specified in subparagraphs 2 through 4: <Amended on Jul. 19, 2022>
1. Where the applicant fails to supplement the application for mediation within the period specified in the former part of Article 16 (5) without good cause;
2. Where the applicant has withdrawn the application for mediation;
3. Where the parties accept a mediation proposal (including where the parties are deemed to have accepted such proposal pursuant to the latter part of Article 33 (3) of the Act) or agree to mediation, and thereby mediation is completed;
4. Where mediation has not been made as the parties have not accepted a mediation proposal.
(3) If a water management commission dismisses without prejudice an application for mediation pursuant to paragraph (1) or terminates water dispute mediation procedures pursuant to paragraph (2), the commission shall notify such fact to the relevant parties in the form prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment.
 Article 23 (Details on water dispute mediation)
Except as provided in this Decree, details on water dispute mediation shall be determined by the chairperson of a water management commission, after resolution by the commission.
 Article 24 (Conclusion of water management agreements)
(1) A person who intends to conclude a water management agreement shall prepare and exchange such agreement containing the following information:
1. The name of a water management agreement;
2. A person who intends to conclude a water management agreement;
3. The location and scope of an area subject to a water management agreement;
4. The objectives and details of a water management agreement;
5. The effective period of a water management agreement;
6. Measures to ensure the implementation of a water management agreement;
7. Other matters necessary for a water management agreement.
(2) A person who has concluded a water management agreement shall submit a copy of the agreement to the Presidential Water Commission within 10 days from the date of the conclusion.
(3) A water management commission may request a person who has concluded a water management agreement to submit the results of implementation thereof; in such cases, the person shall comply with such request unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.
 Article 25 (Entrustment of duties)
(1) "Persons prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 42 (1) of the Act means the following persons:
1. Government-funded science and technology research institute defined in Article 2 of the Act on the Establishment, Operation and Fostering of Government-Funded Science and Technology Research Institutes (hereafter in this Article referred to as "government-funded science and technology research institutes");
2. Government-funded research institutes defined in Article 2 of the Act on the Establishment, Operation and Fostering of Government-Funded Research Institutes (hereafter in this Article referred to as "government-funded research institutes");
3. Local government-invested research institutes defined in Article 2 of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Local Government-Invested Research Institutes (hereafter in this Article referred to as "local government-invested research institutes");
4. The Korea Rural Community Corporation;
5. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.;
6. The Korea Water Resources Corporation;
7. The Korea Environment Corporation;
(2) "Persons prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 42 (2) of the Act means the following persons: <Amended on Oct. 5, 2021; May 23, 2023>
1. Government-funded science and technology research institutes;
2. Government-funded research institutes;
3. Local government-invested research institutes;
4. The Korea Rural Community Corporation;
5. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.;
6. The Korea Water Resources Corporation;
7. The Korea Environment Corporation;
8. The Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute established under the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute Act;
8-2. The UNESCO International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under Article 36-2 (1) of the Act;
9. Organizations established under Article 43 (1) of the Act;
11. The Korea Water and Wastewater Works Association established under Article 56 (1) of the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act;
12. An agency exclusively responsible for hydrological investigations which is designated pursuant to Article 9 (5) of the Act on the Investigation, Planning, and Management of Water Resources;
13. An institution specialized in surveys related to groundwater under Article 5 (5) of the Groundwater Act or an association established under Article 26-2 (1) of that Act;
14. The Korea Environmental Conservation Institute established under Article 59 (1) of the Framework Act on Environmental Policy;
15. Other non-profit corporations or non-profit organizations whose main duties are the following:
(a) Water management;
(b) Fostering water culture and international cooperation in water management.
(3) If the Minister of Environment, the chairperson of a basin management commission, the head of a central administrative agency, or the head of a local government entrusts duties to an institution or organization under paragraph (1) or (2), he or she shall publicly notify the name, representative, and location of the entrusted institution, corporation, or organization, the details of the entrusted duties, and other relevant information in the Official Gazette or public gazette or shall publicly announce them on the website of a water management commission (applicable only to the chairperson of a basin management commission).
 Article 26 (Establishment of organizations)
A person who intends to establish an organization pursuant to Article 43 (1) of the Act shall prepare the articles of incorporation containing the following matters and obtain authorization thereof from the head of the relevant central administrative agency; the same shall also apply to an amendment to the details of the articles of incorporation:
1. The purpose and name of an organization;
2. The business office of an organization;
3. Matters regarding qualifications for membership;
4. Matters regarding duties of an organization and execution thereof;
5. Matters regarding executive officers of an organization;
6. Other matters regarding the operation of an organization.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 29841, Jun. 11, 2019>
This Decree shall enter into force on June 13, 2019.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 32024, Oct. 5, 2021>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 32251, Dec. 28, 2021>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2022.
Article 2 Omitted.
Article 3 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 32697, Jun. 14, 2022>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on June 16, 2022.
Article 2 Omitted.
Article 3 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 32794, Jul. 11, 2022>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on July 12, 2022.
Article 2 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 32808, Jul. 19, 2022>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 33479, May 23, 2023>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on June 11, 2023.
Article 2 Omitted.