The Mekong River is the largest river in Southeast Asia, originating in the Tibetan Plateau of China and flowing through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam to the South China Sea. At 4,020 kilometers long, it ranks 12th in the world and has a watershed area of 800,000 square kilometers. The Mekong River is characterized by a large difference in water volume between the dry and wet seasons, with the lowest water level during the dry season (March to May) and an increase in water volume during the wet season (June to December).
The Mekong region, through which the Mekong River flows, has been attracting attention for its geopolitical importance as it connects India and China, as well as its high growth potential, with an average annual economic growth rate of over 7%, abundant natural resources, and a young labor force. In addition, trade with Korea is extensive and rising, making it important to build diplomatic relations with countries in the Mekong region.
The Mekong River Basin is a region that is prone to water-related disasters such as droughts and floods due to climate change and urbanization. Not only do countries have different issues surrounding the Mekong River, but there are also conflicts between upstream and downstream countries due to the construction of dams and exploitation of water resources by upstream countries. To address these issues, countries in the Mekong region work closely together under multilateral systems of cooperation, forming various consultative bodies.
