SK hynix launches Water Positive project for salmon habitat recovery

May 08, 2026, 10:02 am

		0
(From left) Yoon Seok-dae, President of Korea Water Resources Corporation, Kim Kwang-rae, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Gangwon State, Geum Han-seung, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, Lee Byung-ki, Head of Manufacturing at SK hynix, Tak Dong-su, Vice County Mayor of Yangyang County, and Lim Sang-jun, Chairman of Korea Environment Corporation, pose for a photo during the signing ceremony for the Namdaecheon aging weir improvement project in Yangyang, Gangwon State, at SK hynix headquarters in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, on May 7. /SK hynix

SK hynix

is joining hands with the government to help restore aquatic ecosystems through a new “Water Positive” initiative aimed at returning more water to nature than the company consumes in its operations.

The company announced Friday that it will launch the Water Positive project to restore the aquatic ecosystem of Namdaecheon Stream in Yangyang, Gangwon State, in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, Gangwon State, Yangyang County, Korea Water Resources Corporation and Korea Environment Corporation.

The initiative is designed to contribute to sustainable water management by returning a greater volume of water to the natural environment than businesses use for industrial purposes. Under the framework, the government will establish related policies, public institutions will identify restoration projects, and private companies will participate in implementation.

As part of the collaboration, SK hynix plans to present a new model for climate crisis response and coexistence with local communities. The company will carry out an aging weir improvement project along Namdaecheon, one of Korea’s largest spawning grounds for migratory fish, to secure water flow and create healthier habitats for aquatic species.

The project, scheduled to run from 2026 to 2037, aims to restore ecological continuity in the river by improving deteriorated weirs that have disrupted fish migration.

Namdaecheon, known as Korea’s largest salmon-return stream, has suffered ecological damage in recent years as aging weirs and altered water flows prevented salmon from reaching their spawning grounds and left fish isolated.

Through the project, SK hynix hopes to reopen safe migration routes for salmon returning to their native habitat. The company said the initiative is expected not only to restore the aquatic ecosystem but also to improve the riverside environment for local residents and boost the area’s tourism value and regional economy.

SK hynix Chief Production Officer and Head of Manufacturing Lee Byung-ki said, “This project will serve as an example showing that corporate Water Positive activities can become a tool for coexistence that grows together with local communities and the natural environment.”

He added, “SK hynix will continue carrying out sincere efforts to protect water resources.”

#SK hynix #Water Positive #Namdaecheon #Yangyang #salmon habita