Hwacheon Dam, Gravity dam in Hwacheon County, South Korea.

Hwacheon Dam stretches 435 meters across the river and controls the water flow to manage supply for nearby communities. It also generates electricity from the flowing water to power homes and businesses in the region.

The Han River Hydroelectric Company began building the dam in July 1939 under Japanese occupation, and it was finished in October 1944. Its first generator ran in May 1944, a second in October 1944, a third in 1957 and a fourth in 1968. In April 1951 UN forces attacked it, and US Navy Skyraiders put seven of eight torpedoes into the dam on 1 May.

The reservoir is named Paro Lake (Paroho): after the May 1951 battle nearby, when bodies of Chinese soldiers were buried in the water and it was said to turn red. In 1955 President Syngman Rhee visited and named it "Lake that Defeated the Enemy"; his calligraphic monument stands by the lake.

The dam lies in Hwacheon County, Gangwon-do, on the North Han River; the power station stands about 2.5 km southwest of the dam, just over a ridge. The 435 m crest is controlled by 16 sluice gates, and the reservoir, named Paro Lake, covers 38.9 km2. Approach viewing points on foot and keep to marked paths.

The reservoir behind the dam is named Paro Lake (Paroho). After the May 1951 battle, Chinese soldiers' bodies were buried in the water and the lake reportedly turned red. In 1955 President Syngman Rhee visited and named it "Lake of the Defeated Enemy"; his calligraphy monument still stands.