The country on Tuesday held various events nationwide to observe the thirteenth annual World Water Day.

The government hosted a ceremony to remind people of water's importance and stress the seriousness of potential water shortages.

World Water Day was initiated by the United Nations in 1992.

Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan and other social leaders attended the event, along with a thousand citizens and celebrities.

In South Jeolla Province, a group of citizens in a ceremony launched a campaign to restore the Youngsan River, and collected garbage around a wetland in Damyang County.

In Gangwon Province, about one thousand residents and soldiers cleaned the area surrounding Danbang Dam in Donghae, after attending a ceremony to mark World Water Day.