Yoon Expresses "Sincere Apologies" for Deaths Caused by Heavy Rainfall

Ordered to hold consecutive inspection and countermeasure meetings to prevent additional damage and establish recovery and support plans

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Seok-yeol expressed "a feeling of apology" on the 10th regarding the casualties and missing persons caused by the heavy rain. This was the first apology message from President Yoon since the heavy rain in the Seoul metropolitan area. He canceled the originally scheduled economic meeting and presided over both the inspection meeting and the countermeasure meeting.

On the same day, President Yoon held a 'River Flood and Urban Flood Countermeasure Meeting' at the Government Seoul Office and ordered the preparation of rapid prevention, restoration, and support measures at the whole-government level. Referring to his visit to the site of the flooding death accident in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu the previous day, President Yoon said, "There was a tragic accident where precious lives were lost due to isolation caused by the heavy rain. I pray for the repose of the victims and, on behalf of the government, I express my apologies to the citizens who experienced inconvenience."

President Yoon emphasized the prevention of additional damage. He instructed, "In the situation where continuous heavy rain forecasts are expected, the most important thing is to prevent secondary damage from occurring. I hope the Cabinet actively cooperates with local governments to check the restoration status in real time and promptly support the budgets and manpower needed by local governments."

Considering that phenomena like these abnormal weather events will occur frequently, he also urged the establishment of fundamental countermeasures. President Yoon stated, "I ask ministries and local governments to build a flood hazard warning system covering the main and tributary streams of national and local rivers, and to do their utmost to minimize casualties and property damage to the people."

Earlier, at the 'Damage Situation Inspection Meeting' chaired by President Yoon, he said, "Those who have difficulty in daily life and those with physical disabilities are inevitably more vulnerable to natural disasters," and called for detailed countermeasures. "I hope you actively cooperate with local governments to carefully check whether there are vulnerable groups who have suffered damage from this heavy rain but have not yet received assistance, and to ensure that these people can quickly recover their daily lives," was President Yoon’s order.

He also said, "This shows that we should not respond based on past cases," and added, "We must respond keeping in mind that the worst case may be worse than expected." President Yoon emphasized, "The state bears unlimited responsibility for the safety of the people," and urged, "I think all public officials must be fully aware of this point."