A significant forum to assess the current status and future of Saemangeum's water quality and environment was held at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU).

The Jeonbuk Green Environment Support Center, operated by JBNU, together with North Jeolla Province and the Jeonbuk Regional Environmental Office, jointly held an academic seminar titled 'The Current and Future of Saemangeum Water Quality and Environment' on August 25 at 2:00 PM in Jinsudang Gain Hall. The seminar was attended by about 100 participants, including JBNU, North Jeolla Province, the Jeonbuk Regional Environmental Office, the Jeonbuk Green Environment Support Center, the Korean Society of Environmental Engineers, water-related organizations, civil society groups, and academic experts.

The seminar began with a keynote lecture by Gwak Dong‑hee, Director of the Jeonbuk Green Environment Support Center, on 'Understanding the Water Quality and Environment of Saemangeum and Its Future.' The program was divided into Part 1, Part 2, and an expert panel discussion, during which various expert perspectives on Saemangeum's water quality were presented.

In Part 1, Professor Gong Dong‑su of Kyonggi University presented on 'Diagnosis of the Water Environment in the Saemangeum Water Area'; Dr. Hwang Dae‑ho of Korea Water Environment Policy Research Institute presented on 'Directions for Saemangeum Water Quality Improvement Measures'; Professor Jeong Yong‑hun of JBNU presented on 'Characteristics of Water Quality and Optimal Water Variation in Saemangeum Lake'; and Professor Kwon Bong‑o of Kunsan National University discussed 'Changes in the Marine Ecosystem of Saemangeum.' Each presentation addressed the water quality characteristics of Saemangeum Lake and directions for improvement.

Part 2, focused on modeling and management of Saemangeum Lake water quality, included eight subtopics, such as 'Development and Application of a Watershed Model Considering the Characteristics of the Saemangeum Basin' by Jeong Gwang‑uk, Director of Korea Watershed Research Institute Co., Ltd.; 'Hydraulic Characteristics and Water Quality Environment of Saemangeum Lake' by Song Yong‑sik, Executive Director of GeoSystem Research Co., Ltd.; 'Exploring Development Strategies for Saemangeum through Foreign Cases Such as the Pudong Development' by Lee Kang‑uk, Former Consul General in Xi'an; and 'Coexistence of Development and the Environment — Focused on the Siwha Lake Case' by Jeong Won‑seok, Manager at K‑Water.

In Part 3, on the topic of sustainable water quality management for Saemangeum Lake, panelists including Professor Choi Man‑sik of Chungnam National University, Dr. Choi Jeong‑hun of the Korea Rural Community Corporation, Editorial Writer Jo Sang‑jin of the Jeonbuk Ilbo, and Kwon Young‑dong, Secretary‑General of the Jeonbuk Council for Sustainable Development, participated and offered diverse expert opinions on water quality improvement and conservation measures that take into account the conditions and characteristics of the Saemangeum basin.

Gwak Dong‑hee, Director of the Jeonbuk Green Environment Support Center, said, 'We organized this seminar to create an opportunity to understand the overall water quality of the Saemangeum basin and lake from past to present for the future sustainable preservation of Saemangeum Lake.' He added, 'I hope this forum, through sharing research findings and diverse opinions from various experts on the hydrological characteristics of Saemangeum Lake and in‑lake water quality management, will serve as an important stepping stone for improving the challenging water quality environment of Saemangeum Lake.'