Residents of Hoejin village on Geoje Island are facing repeated flooding because a completed rain-water retention facility cannot be used due to a lawsuit [1].
The situation leaves a coastal community vulnerable to extreme weather patterns. While the infrastructure exists to mitigate disaster, legal gridlock prevents its operation during critical weather events.
Recent record-breaking heavy rains have once again inundated the area. The village is particularly susceptible to flooding when extreme rainfall coincides with high tides, which prevents water from draining into the sea.
Hwang Jin-hak, a resident of Hoejin village, described the conditions during the recent flood. He said that around 11 a.m., the sea level rose by approximately two meters [5], making it impossible for the floodwaters to recede.
This is not the first time the village has suffered significant damage. During Typhoon Sanba in 2012, 49 houses were flooded [1]. Later, during heavy rains in 2017, the number of flooded homes rose to 63 [2], and 7.5 hectares of farmland were submerged [3].
Geoje city has reportedly allocated 200 billion won [4] for flood mitigation efforts. However, the specific retention facility intended to protect Hoejin village remains idle while the court case continues.
Frustrated by the recurring disasters and the inability of the government to activate the existing defenses, some residents have begun calling for relocation from the area [1].
“A rain-water retention facility that was built cannot be used because it is tied up in a lawsuit.”
The crisis in Hoejin village highlights a systemic failure where legal disputes over infrastructure projects override immediate public safety needs. The combination of rising sea levels and extreme precipitation makes coastal villages increasingly precarious, meaning that delays in operationalizing flood defenses can lead to permanent displacement of residents.
