Next Year, 19.8 Trillion Won Invested in 472 Government Disaster Safety Projects

The 4th Safety Policy Coordination Committee Meeting Held ... Strengthening Fire and Wildfire Safety Management in Mixed-Use Complexes

On the morning of the 11th, a joint investigation involving the Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency's dedicated investigation team, the National Forensic Service, fire department, and related agencies is being conducted on the terrace of the 3rd floor of Samhwan Arnuvo mixed-use apartment in Nam-gu, Ulsan.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] A total of 472 projects in the disaster safety sector, including preparations for wind and flood damage and fine dust, road traffic improvement, and infectious disease prevention, will receive a financial investment of 19.8 trillion won next year.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 22nd that it held the '4th Safety Policy Coordination Committee Meeting of 2020' via video conference with the participation of 23 central ministries and 17 metropolitan cities and provinces, and prepared the 2021 National Safety Management Implementation Plan with such contents.

The National Safety Management Implementation Plan is composed of measures and related projects promoted by 29 central administrative agencies next year based on the 4th National Safety Management Basic Plan (2020?2024). The government decided to invest 3.3 trillion won in wind and flood damage, 2.8 trillion won in road traffic, 1 trillion won each in fine dust and industrial accidents, 700 billion won in infectious diseases, and 400 billion won in livestock infectious diseases, totaling 19.8 trillion won in 472 projects.

There are a total of 716 disaster safety measures by sector, prepared reflecting the changed policy environment such as the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). By ministry, there are 90 measures by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 74 by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, 68 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 52 by the Ministry of Environment, 35 by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and 26 by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

At the meeting, fire safety measures for high-rise buildings such as mixed-use complexes and autumn wildfire safety management measures were also discussed.

The National Fire Agency decided to strengthen institutional improvements such as tightening the application standards for fire extinguishing facilities and reinforce response equipment (70m ladder truck) to enhance fire prevention and on-site response capabilities for high-rise buildings, following the fire at the mixed-use complex building 'Samwhan Arnuvo' located in Nam-gu, Ulsan City on the 8th. To this end, it plans to prepare detailed institutional improvement measures through consultations with related ministries and advice from private experts, and secure related budgets.

The Korea Forest Service, anticipating an increase in hiking population during the autumn foliage season amid the ongoing COVID-19 situation, will strengthen management of restricted entry zones to spread a safe hiking culture and prevent wildfires. From November 1 to December 15, during the autumn wildfire caution period, 300 wildfire prevention task forces nationwide will be operated to maintain a rapid wildfire suppression posture, and advanced technologies and equipment such as forest drones, big data on entrants, and wildfire spread prediction systems will be utilized for early wildfire response.

In particular, at the meeting, in-depth discussions were held among participants on the causes and countermeasures for damage types caused by the unprecedented prolonged rainy season and heavy rains this summer. The necessity of establishing a 'Disaster Management Responsible Agency Function Continuity Plan' to maintain core functions of agencies during disasters was also discussed.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young said, "Fire safety measures for high-rise buildings must be solidly prepared and wildfire prevention must be effectively carried out," and emphasized, "The National Safety Management Implementation Plans established by each ministry should not remain mere plans but must actually operate effectively on the ground."