JEONJU — As climate change accelerates extreme weather events and heightens the threat of farmland inundation, the Jeonbuk Research Institute (JBRIs) convened an expert seminar on November 12 at its conference hall, focusing on advancing AI-driven operational management for agricultural drainage facilities.

The seminar, titled "Advancing AI-Based Drainage Facility Operation and Management in Response to the Climate Crisis," brought together approximately 30 experts from academia, research institutions, and industry stakeholders, including the Jeonbuk Research Institute, Myungji Information Technology Co., and the Dongjin Branch of the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC). The participants gathered to discuss innovative, intelligent solutions for integrated drainage management and field implementation.

Developing an Integrated AI Drainage Management System

During the opening presentation, Lee Jun-ho, CEO of Myungji Information Technology, introduced an ongoing national R&D project titled "Development and Demonstration of Self-Diagnostic Drainage Gates and an AI-Based Integrated Drainage Management System for Farmland Flood Prevention."

Running from 2026 through 2028, the project aims to bridge the gap between drainage gates and pump stations. By leveraging real-time data—such as rainfall volume, water levels, and video surveillance—the system analyzes facility conditions and flood risks in real-time, effectively empowering operators with data-driven decision support.

Key Presentations: Intelligent Infrastructure and Proactive Operations

The seminar featured two main presentations highlighting modern technological applications:

Intelligent Integrated Operation: Dr. Kang Jun-gu, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT), presented on "AI-Based Intelligent Drainage Facility Integrated Operation Strategies." He outlined the future direction of intelligent management systems that harness real-time metered data, AI, and digital technology to anticipate facility vulnerabilities and flood risks before disasters strike.
Upgrading Pump Station Management: Professor Kim Dong-hyun of Jeonbuk National University addressed "Strategies for Improving Drainage Pump Station Operations in the Climate Crisis Era." Emphasizing the urgent need to upgrade pump station operations against intensifying heavy downpours, Kim stressed the importance of proactive responses using real-time information, synchronized operations between drainage gates and pump stations, and advanced smart water management technologies.

Panel Discussion and Future Field Demonstrations

A panel discussion followed, moderated by Lim Seung-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Jeonbuk Research Institute. Prominent experts—including Professor Lee Sang-hyun of Jeonbuk National University, Professor Yoo Seung-hwan of Chonnam National University, Lee Young-kwon, Head of Water Resources Management at the KRC Dongjin Branch, and Jang Nam-jung, Director of the Regional Safety Division at JBRIs—engaged in an in-depth debate.

The panel addressed practical applications of AI-driven water level and flood risk prediction models, criteria for operating drainage pump stations tailored to specific farmland characteristics, synchronized control of gates and pumps, and the evolving role of on-site facility managers. They underscored that future system refinements must prioritize reliable field data and operational validation to genuinely assist human decision-makers.

Looking Ahead

The research initiative will proceed with on-field pilot testing in collaboration with the KRC Dongjin Branch. This phase will evaluate the synchronized operation of influent channels, retention ponds, drainage gates, and pump stations under both gravity drainage (natural discharge) and forced drainage conditions to verify the field applicability of AI integration.

The Jeonbuk Research Institute plans to incorporate the insights gathered from the seminar into its ongoing R&D and pilot implementations, strengthening inter-agency cooperation to protect agricultural lands from flooding. Furthermore, based on the field trial results, JBRIs intends to develop scalable, intelligent drainage management operational models and policy frameworks applicable to agricultural regions across Jeonbuk and nationwide.

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