Politicians Visiting Disaster Sites, Firefighters and Police Reporting Face 'Work Overload' Criticism

Racing to Visit in Relay... Related Agencies Prepare 'Status Reports' Every Time

Citizens Point Out, "Should Political Figures, Not Responsible Officials, Receive On-Site Reports?"

Chrysanthemums have been laid at the incense altar set up in the Dong-gu Office parking lot to commemorate the victims of the building collapse in the Hakdong redevelopment area of Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] There are voices criticizing the unnecessary behavior of famous politicians rushing to appear at various disaster sites as if competing with each other.

It is pointed out that the police and firefighters who are putting all their efforts into protecting the lives and safety of the people have to report the situation to them, and sometimes even provide guidance and protocol, which rather hinders the rescue activities they should be focusing on.

The building collapse accident during demolition in the redevelopment area of Hakdong, Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 9th attracted nationwide attention.

Perhaps because of this, not only the leaders of each political party but also members of the National Assembly and presidential candidates for next year’s election visited the site one after another.

They did not just visit the site and pay tribute, but received on-site reports from the fire authorities under the pretext of checking the situation.

In fact, from the day after the accident on the 10th until now, Jeong Uncheon, Lee Chaeik, and Jeong Heeyong of the People Power Party, Yeo Youngguk, leader of the Justice Party, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Song Younggil, leader of the Democratic Party, former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon, and Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, have visited.

Excluding famous politicians whose names everyone knows, if you add local members of the National Assembly and basic council members, many more figures can be said to have visited.

The problem is that they do not come all at once on a set date and time, but visit one after another according to their own schedules.

The firefighters or police who have to report the situation to them have to prepare and explain the same content repeatedly.

Because of this, citizens who have seen this raise their voices that unnecessary work is being added to the firefighters and police who should be focusing on accident recovery and investigation.

A 44-year-old citizen, Mr. Lee, said, “Whenever the media reports that politicians visited the site, a fire official is always seen looking at and explaining the status board,” adding, “Of course, those responsible such as the Minister of the Interior and Safety who must check the situation should be reported to, but I question whether party leaders and presidential candidates really need to receive reports on-site.”

In addition, some basic council members in Gwangju crossed police and fire control lines while taking commemorative photos at the disaster site, and other council members were caught sitting in tents set up on-site, laughing and talking, causing controversy.

A 50-year-old citizen, Mr. Han, said, “It’s not just this Gwangju building collapse accident, but the appearance of famous politicians at various disaster sites does not look good,” and pleaded, “Please stop any actions that could directly or indirectly interfere with the police and firefighters who are focusing on rescue and recovery on-site.”

In response, a political insider said, “Members of the National Assembly or party leaders have their own schedules, so they have no choice but to visit separately,” adding, “They try to avoid urgent times as much as possible, but it seems necessary to request this again.”