Technology Demonstration in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia… Application of AI Flood Prediction and Smart Water Management, ‘An international cooperation project utilizing Korean science and technology to address water, energy, and food issues in the Mekong River Basin countries has been completed.’,
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 16th that it held a handover ceremony for a ‘renewable energy-based water treatment facility’ in Con Linh Village, Vinh Long Province, Vietnam, marking the completion of the ‘Korea-UNDP Phase 3 Cooperation Project (P-LINK Project)’ jointly conducted with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). The P-LINK Project is an international cooperation initiative integrating policy research, technology demonstration, and capacity building activities using Korea’s science, technology, and information and communication technology (ICT) to address water, energy, and food issues in the Mekong River Basin. It was conducted from 2021 to 2025 with a budget of approximately $4 million, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT, with UNDP and UNOSSC overseeing the project and the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) in charge of planning and operation.
Countries in the Mekong River Basin are facing complex issues such as water resource management due to climate change, increased energy demand, and declining agricultural productivity in the wake of economic growth. The Ministry of Science and ICT collaborated with the governments of the four Mekong region countries—Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia—as well as international organizations, research institutions, and local communities to establish customized technology models based on local needs and pursued pilot projects using Korean technology.
In Vietnam, a desalination-based living water supply system was established in areas where it is difficult to secure drinking water due to saline intrusion. Thailand adopted a smart water management system for data-based waterworks operation, while Laos implemented an AI-based flood prediction and early warning system. In Cambodia, a solar energy-powered water treatment and living water supply system was installed to establish a water supply foundation in areas struggling to secure safe drinking water.
Innovative domestic technology companies such as Hermesys, JL Soft, Weflat, and L2E Solution participated as executing agencies in this project, conducting field demonstrations of water treatment systems, flood prediction, and smart water management technologies. These participating companies also provided operational training and capacity-building programs to local personnel and built cooperative networks with government and institutions in the Mekong region.
Based on the achievements of this project, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to promote the ‘Korea-UNDP Phase 4 Cooperation Project’ from 2026 to 2028. The future strategy includes expanding the sharing of policy experiences and technology application cases among Mekong region countries and developing a science and technology cooperation model involving Korea, international organizations, and partner countries.
Hye-kyung Bae, Minister of Science and ICT, stated, “This project is significant in that it utilized Korean science and technology to address local issues in the Mekong region countries and contributed to sustainable development,” and added, “We will continue to expand cooperation projects that partner countries can perceive through partnerships with international organizations and partner countries, and contribute to the overseas expansion of domestic companies.”