Around the Chinese New Year, farmers from Hebei and Henan Provinces fight over limited water resources. Heavy weapons, including mortars and bombs, are used and nearly 100 villagers are injured. Houses and facilities are damaged and the total loss reaches one million $US.
Without previous warning, North Korea releases 40 million cubic meters of water from the Hwanggag dam, causing a flash flood on the Imjin River. In South Korea, at least 6 fisherman and campers are drowned. North Korea claims that the water had to be urgently released and promises to warn the South of future releases. South Korea fears that North Korea could use the water of the dam as a weapon during a violent conflict.
Chinese authorities execute a man who took part in protests against the Pubugou dam in Sichuan province in 2004 (see China 2004 entry). Chen Tao is convicted of killing a policeman, but is executed before legal appeals are completed.
The Hwacheon Dam in Korea, completed in 1944, becomes both a target and a tool of opposing forces during the Korean War. In 1951, North Korea opens the dam to flood downstream areas and slow advancing UN forces. In response, the US Navy sends aircraft to bomb the dam, the last known American use of aerial torpedoes in war.