Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom Issues Urgent Directives on Heatwave Countermeasures
[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyunjung and Son Seonhee] This summer, the number of deaths due to the heatwave reached 12, marking the highest in the past three years. On the 30th, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum issued an urgent directive, stating, "From this weekend, ministers and vice ministers should personally visit their respective sites to verify whether heatwave countermeasures are being properly implemented and actively seek necessary supplementary measures." However, there are criticisms that the government's response was delayed despite the heatwave being anticipated.
According to the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Prime Minister Kim said in the morning urgent directive that "there is a concern that damage caused by the heatwave could expand to a serious level." Since heat-related illnesses particularly affect vulnerable groups, Prime Minister Kim instructed Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol to "thoroughly manage the safety of vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone, homeless people, and residents of small rooms."
He also ordered Minister of Employment and Labor Ahn Kyung-duk and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Noh Hyung-wook to "thoroughly inspect and supplement preventive measures to ensure the safety of workers such as construction workers and delivery workers are properly implemented on site." According to the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency under the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the estimated number of construction workers who died from heat-related illnesses has reached four this month alone. On the 26th, a worker in his 50s, Mr. A, was found dead at an apartment construction site in Incheon, and on the 16th, 19th, and 22nd, other workers collapsed and died while working. In response, the government recommended construction companies on the 25th to suspend work during the hottest hours in the afternoon.
Prime Minister Kim also instructed Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kim Hyun-soo and Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Moon Sung-hyuk to "take proactive measures to ensure the safety of farmers and fishermen and to prevent damage to crops, livestock, and aquaculture products."
Vegetables and fruits vulnerable to heat are experiencing supply disruptions due to deteriorating growing conditions, causing prices to soar. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), as of the previous day, the average price of watermelons (standard, per piece) was 23,022 KRW, a 26% increase compared to the average price of 18,206 KRW. Spinach was traded at 18,277 KRW per kilogram, more than double the average price of 9,144 KRW. Green leaf lettuce was priced at 1,579 KRW per 100 grams, 40% higher than the average of 1,125 KRW, and perilla leaves were traded at 1,814 KRW per 100 grams, 9% above the average price of 1,658 KRW.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has dispatched eight field technical support teams (27 members) to provide guidance on growth management and encourage the installation of equipment such as sprinklers and ventilators. Additionally, they are supporting the supply of reserve seedlings, nutrients, and calcium carbonate agents for items experiencing supply instability.
Furthermore, to prevent power supply disruptions caused by the heatwave, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Seung-wook was ordered to conduct pre-inspections of social infrastructure such as roads, railways, and power facilities, and to establish a rapid emergency recovery system in case of damage. Minister of the Interior and Safety Jeon Hae-cheol was repeatedly urged to comprehensively manage the heatwave response situation.
Prime Minister Kim stated, "I plan to personally visit the sites over the weekend to check on public safety and inspect the implementation status of government measures."
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