Case Analysis and Discussion of Solutions to Possible Water Conflicts

Abstract

Water issues driven by water shortages have consistently increased over the last few decades, as water is directly related to the right to live. Most domestic water disputes occur between local governments due to dam construction, water contamination, water intake relocation, and other issues. By contrast, foreign water issues typically occur between countries boarded by rivers that are monopolized by one of the concerned countries. Because the concept of water rights has been applied differently to each issue, water stakeholders are typically unable to obtain sufficient supplies of water to satisfy all water consumers. In this study, the causes, issues, and solutions for both domestic and foreign water disputes are investigated and summarized. Riparian and appropriated water rights are the main controversies surrounding domestic water issues and must be fully investigated and understood. By contrast, foreign water disputes are negotiated between countries based on political, economic, and industrial priorities related to shared rivers, and these too must be fully examined and clarified. The study can be used to provide essential information about possible future domestic water issues such as those related to the Imjin River, which is a shared waterway between South and North Korea.