Case Study: 2022-2023 Drought in South 

The southern region experienced a drought that lasted about 227.3 days from 2022 into 2023. In the Gwangju and Jeollanam-do areas, it extended even longer - around 281.3 days. 

The prolonged dry conditions in spring led to water shortages for residents, increased wildfire occurrences (596 wildfires, of which large fires over 5 ha numbered 35 - more than 3 times the 10-year average) in that region.

Despite South Korea's advanced infrastructure, the increasing frequency and intensity of droughts show that existing water-management and agricultural systems are not fully equipped to handle prolonged climate stress. Global climate models predict that East Asia will face more frequent extreme droughts by the 2030s, threatening food security, water sustainability, and regional stability.

Therefore, addressing drought is not merely an environmental issue - it is a strategic priority for ensuring rural resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and national adaptation capacity.