Korea receives an average annual precipitation of about 1,283mm, which is 30 percent higher than the world average of 973mm. Despite this seemingly abundant rainfall, high population density leads to an average annual precipitation per capita of only 2,705m³, representing just 10% of the world average of 26,800m³.
The growing competition for water resources and conflicting water usage between various sectors and regions pose significant challenges. Additionally, factors such as increasing water demands, limited suitable sites for new water resources development, deterioration of water quality due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, escalating wastewater production surpassing treatment capacities, and alterations in water ecosystems contribute to the complexity of water management issues.

Water shortage remains a significant obstacle to improved quality of life and economic growth, despite numerous multipurpose reservoir and estuary constructions. Studies indicate a substantial increase in water demand from the year 2000 onward, with predictions of severe shortages due to droughts resulting from climate change. Government reports suggest an expected surplus water of 7.7% in 2001, decreasing to -5.5% by 2011, even with the completion of various dam projects.
Complications arising from local opposition to dam construction further exacerbate water management challenges. While recognizing the importance of dams, local communities often protest against their construction due to potential environmental impacts and damages incurred during construction and operation.
Inefficient conservation of water resources and low water prices contribute to water wastage. The relatively low cost of water to households, accounting for only 0.46% of the total cost, limits funding for new water resource projects. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort to promote water conservation practices and ensure adequate financing for sustainable water resource management.

For more detailed insights into the challenges concerning water shortage in Korea, please consult the following journal articles published by the Korea Water Resources Association (KWRA)

Yu, J. S., Yoo, J. Y., Lee, J. H., & Kim, T. W. (2016). Estimation of drought risk through the bivariate drought frequency analysis using copula functions. Journal of Korea Water Resources Association, 49(3), 217-225.

Kim, H., Park, J., Yoo, J., & Kim, T. W. (2015). Assessment of drought hazard, vulnerability, and risk: A case study for administrative districts in South Korea. Journal of Hydro-environment Research, 9(1), 28-35.

The escalation of flood damage is primarily attributed to the expansion of land utilization near riverbanks. In medium and small-scale river basins, the absence of flood control dams and reservoirs exacerbates the issue.
Urbanization and the proliferation of paved roads contribute to heightened flood risks, potentially leading to severe flooding events. Furthermore, land reclamation in catchment areas diminishes the capacity for water detention.
Climate change, including phenomena such as greenhouse effects and El Niño, has further intensified the frequency and severity of droughts and floods, compounding the challenges associated with flood management.

For more detailed insights into the challenges concerning floods in Korea, please consult the following journal articles published by the Korea Water Resources Association (KWRA)