Chungnam Province has called for the prompt enactment of the "Special Act on Estuary Restoration and Management" in the National Assembly to systematically promote the ecological restoration of the Geumgang River Estuary.

The province announced that it participated in the "2026 National Assembly Legislative Expo" held on November 5–6 at the National Assembly Central Lawn and other venues, operating a promotional booth under the theme "The Law Where Rivers and Oceans Meet Again."

This booth was set up to introduce the ecological value of the Geumgang River Estuary, changes in the ecological environment following the construction of the estuary barrage, and the necessity of estuary restoration, as well as to inform the National Assembly of the limitations of the current system and the expected effects of enacting the special law.

Over the two-day event, key dignitaries of the National Assembly visited the provincial promotional booth to hear explanations on the current status of Geumgang River Estuary ecological restoration and the necessity of enacting the special law, where the province requested its swift enactment.

The promotional booth exhibited:

*The current status and ecological problems of the Geumgang River Estuary, which has been blocked for 36 years;
*The progress and institutional limitations of estuary restoration efforts; and
*National-level master plan establishment and restoration support systems under the enactment of the special law.

In addition, the booth screened videos on the necessity of estuary ecological restoration and operated interactive programs such as a spin-wheel quiz for visitors to easily understand the importance of restoring the estuary ecosystem.

The province has reflected the ecological restoration of the Geumgang River Estuary in the pledges of the 9th popular election term and maintains that establishing legal and institutional foundations at the national level is paramount for the systematic restoration and sustainable management of the estuary ecosystem.

Currently, estuaries face limitations in promoting comprehensive and systematic restoration projects due to differing management authorities for facilities such as estuaries and breakwaters, alongside a lack of direct legal grounds regulating estuary restoration and management.

The special bill includes provisions for establishing an integrated national management system and support grounds for estuary restoration, such as:

*Establishing a 10-year national estuary master plan;
*Installing a National Estuary Committee; and
*Direct implementation and support of estuary restoration projects by the national government.

Taking this legislative expo as an opportunity, the province plans to continuously strive for the prompt enactment of the special law by broadening public consensus and strengthening communication with the National Assembly and related organizations.

An official from the province stated, "The ecological restoration of the Geumgang River Estuary goes beyond simply improving the environment; it is about restoring the ecological value of connecting rivers and oceans and promoting sustainable regional development. We will actively petition the National Assembly and the government for the prompt enactment of the special law to enable systematic restoration and stable national-level support."

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