President Moon: "Central Ministries to Conduct Swift Investigations for Rapid Declaration of Special Disaster Areas" (Comprehensive)

President Moon's Emergency Situation Review Meeting on Heavy Rain Response: "Proposal to Use Assembly Houses as Temporary Housing by Gyeonggi Governor, Central Ministries Should Take Interest"

[Asia Economy Reporters Jungmin Ryu and Sunhee Son] On the afternoon of the 4th, President Moon Jae-in presided over an 'Emergency Situation Inspection Meeting for Heavy Rain Response' at the Blue House and urged central government ministries to conduct rapid damage assessments for the swift declaration of special disaster zones.

Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, said in a briefing at the Chuncheon Press Center that "President Moon instructed to conduct preventive inspections and preemptive measures to an extent that might seem excessive," adding, "There were words of encouragement from two perspectives: preventing additional damage in advance and quickly restoring the damage that has already occurred."

Kang explained, "Regarding the prevention of damage, the president emphasized active cooperation between central ministries and local governments. Since additional landslides are feared if heavy rain continues on weakened ground, he asked local governments to cooperate to prevent any damage," and added, "He especially requested special attention to prevent damage to mountain solar power facilities and to take particular care to avoid damage to the Imjin River."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kang said, "He requested that, in addition to local governments' damage surveys, central ministries also promptly conduct joint damage assessments to ensure the rapid declaration of special disaster zones," and "President Moon asked central ministries to take an interest in Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's proposal to use modular houses as temporary shelters."

Kang added, "President Moon noted that the unprecedented longest rainy season is likely to recur due to climate change and asked central ministries and local governments to work together in the long term."

A key Blue House official explained, "Governors of Chungbuk, Gyeonggi, and Chungnam provinces proposed the declaration of special disaster zones. In the case of Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung, President Moon emphasized this in his closing remarks."

The video conference on that day proceeded in the order of President Moon's opening remarks, the Korea Meteorological Administration chief's weather report, and the Minister of the Interior and Safety's response report. The meeting lasted 45 minutes.

Although it was expected that deputy ministers of related ministries would attend due to the National Assembly schedule, the Ministers of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, the Director of the National Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters, the Commissioner of the National Police Agency, the Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, the Administrator of the Korea Meteorological Administration, and the Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard all attended in person.