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Former PWRI Researcher Awarded Korean Presidential
Civil Merit Medal
On June 5, 2008, President of the Republic of
Korea Lee Myung-bak granted one of the highest national awards
to Dr. Lee Samhee, former visiting researcher of Japan's Public
Works Research Institute (PWRI), for his pioneering work and
distinguished contributions to river restoration in the Republic
of Korea. Dr. Lee is currently a team leader at the Korea Institute
of Construction Technology.
"River restoration" is a newly established
interdisciplinary field to conserve and create scenic natural
landscapes of rivers and preserve a sound habitat for native
plants and animals. PWRI pioneered river restoration research
in the 1980s that eventually led to the start of a nationwide
program of "Nature-oriented River Works" in 1990.
Japan's River Law, revised in 1997, embraced the conservation
and improvement of river environments as one of the river administrators'
prime missions. Since then, "Nature-oriented River Works"
has been a part of river works in a growing number of rivers
in Japan.
Dr. Lee conducted his doctoral studies at PWRI
for three years from 1995 to 1998 on the theory and practice
of river restoration to harmonize flood control with the river
environment. After returning to Korea, he applied this new theory
and practice to the restoration of the Yangjae River and demonstrated
its effectiveness. The successful Yangjae case strongly encouraged
the restoration project of the Cheonggye River. Dr. Lee was
a principal advisor for its planning. In his award acceptance
speech, Dr. Lee commented on PWRI, saying "Japan is leading
the world in river restoration technology suitable for wet regions.
PWRI was the best place for me to study practical technology
for river restoration. For that, I thank the people at PWRI."
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