Water is crucial for human survival, but Korea faces water scarcity issues. The government is working on policies to manage water resources efficiently and protect the environment. Laws have been improved to regulate the use of water, especially stream water. A new Water Management Basic Law was passed in 2018 to promote integrated water management, led by the Ministry of Environment. However, some water management responsibilities still lie with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. The effectiveness of water management in Korea is still uncertain, but future revisions of the law aim to enhance water resource management and promote a holistic water cycle.