Audit Finds Shoddy Work in 4-Rivers Mega Project

An audit has revealed multiple flaws in reservoirs built as part of President Lee Myung-bak's pet four-rivers project. The Board of Audit and Inspection on Thursday said the audit in May and June last year showed that the wrong designs were used to build 16 reservoirs for irrigation on the four rivers, casting doubts on the structural integrity of 11 of them.

The BAI also found that 12 of the reservoirs are too weak to withstand shocks that could occur when their floodgates are opened. And in three reservoirs, multiple cracks have already appeared that are "beyond acceptable limits," a BAI spokesman said.

The BAI said the flooring of 15 reservoirs built to prevent erosion from currents were damaged or subsided and 11 had faulty reinforcements, resulting in damage to six.

In other words, the design, construction and repair of the reservoirs under the controversial mega-project were all faulty.

But an official at the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs claimed continued repair work "will ensure the safety of the structures."