[Anchor]
The waterway of Daecheong Lake, blocked for more than 40 years since the dam was built, has reopened.
An eco-friendly electric ferry launched its first service out of Okcheon, and residents expect significant changes to daily life in the area.
HCN Chungbuk reporter Lee Wan-jong reports.
[Reporter]
After 40 years of still waters, boats have begun moving across Daecheong Lake again.
An eco-friendly electric ferry has restored the waterway that was cut off when Daecheong Dam was built.
The service covers roughly a 20-kilometer (about 12.4-mile) stretch from Janggye-ri through Odae-ri and Seoktan-ri to Yeonju-ri.
What used to require a long, winding drive can now be completed in a single trip by water.
For local residents, the ferry is more than a new transport option — it promises to reshape everyday life.
Seong Nak-seok / Head, Janggye-ri village "After 40 years, our Janggye-ri in Okcheon County, North Chungcheong Province faced very strict restrictions. Now that Daecheong Lake is operating an eco-friendly ferry, I feel deeply moved and proud."
Residents say reconnecting previously separated communities has also brought back buried memories.
Jeong Soon-eok, Park O-sun / Local residents "It reminds us of the old days — the sites where houses once stood are now underwater. Thinking about that…"
The vessel in service can carry 40 passengers and uses electric propulsion, a design that minimizes water pollution.
Okcheon County links the ferry to a recently introduced rural basic income program for farming and fishing communities and expects the service to help restore daily life and stimulate the local economy.
Choi Soon-yi / Director, Okcheon County Environment Division "We installed this system on the dam for the first time to reduce contamination of the water source. Going forward, based on demand, we plan to operate additional electric ferries or construct and run an ecological education boat."
The Daecheong Lake waterway has reopened after 40 years.
As formerly separated spaces reconnect, attention is turning to how daily life and the local economy will change.
This is Lee Wan-jong with HCN News.
[Video coverage: Kim Gap-du]
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Kim Ye-jin (KK5011@yna.co.kr)
