[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the 28th instructed related ministries to "thoroughly prepare personnel and equipment for nighttime wildfire suppression and ensure the safety of firefighting personnel" in relation to the wildfire in Uljin, Gyeongbuk.
The Prime Minister's Office issued a press release in the afternoon stating that Prime Minister Han gave this urgent directive regarding the fire that occurred in Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk.
At around 12:06 PM on the same day, an unknown cause fire broke out on a hill in Geunnam-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk. In response, the forestry authorities deployed 30 helicopters and about 200 firefighting personnel to the site to carry out suppression efforts, but they are reportedly facing difficulties due to strong winds with a peak instantaneous speed of 20 meters per second and heavy smoke.
As of 4:30 PM, the Korea Forest Service declared a Level 2 wildfire alert at the site and is conducting suppression operations by mobilizing 100% of the available firefighting personnel from Uljin and surrounding areas.
Prime Minister Han ordered, "The head of the Korea Forest Service and the Commissioner of the National Fire Agency should cooperate with local governments, the Ministry of National Defense, and other related agencies to mobilize all available equipment and personnel and do their utmost to quickly suppress the wildfire."
Prime Minister Han also urged Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, "In cooperation with the National Police Agency and local governments, promptly disseminate disaster information to nearby residents and do your best to prevent casualties and property damage by managing resident evacuation and controlling hikers."
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