CDSCHQ: "Central and Local Governments, Please Respond to Disasters Assuming the Worst-Case Scenario"

Emergency Situation Review Meeting of Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for Heavy Rain Response
"All Efforts Must Be United to Minimize Damage"

Overnight, heavy rain centered on the Chungcheong and Jeolla regions caused damage, prompting the government to emphasize that "central ministries, local governments, and related agencies should respond to disasters assuming the worst-case scenario."

On the morning of the 10th, Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, held a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at the Government Sejong Complex to check the response to heavy rain, stating, "There is still a lot of time left in the rainy season. The government must concentrate all its capabilities to minimize damage."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Lee said, "Related agencies should mobilize all available personnel and resources to do their best in rescuing lives and preventing damage," and added, "I hope efforts will also be made to support and provide relief so that disaster victims can quickly return to their normal lives."

Earlier, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety upgraded the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters from Level 1 to Level 2 at 2:30 a.m. on the same day, as heavy rain warnings were issued for the Chungcheong and Jeolla regions, with heavy rain expected. The heavy rain crisis alert level was also raised from 'Caution' to 'Warning.' About 20 cases of flooding damage occurred in Gyeongbuk and Chungbuk respectively.

Minister Lee emphasized, "Above all, preventing casualties is the most important," and urged, "Please take measures to evacuate residents near vulnerable areas such as landslide-prone zones, steep slopes, semi-basement houses, and low-lying areas before vulnerable times such as nighttime or early morning."

He also requested, "Related agencies should proactively control areas where casualties are a concern, such as riverside walking paths, underground passages, and low-water roads, when hazardous weather forecasts are issued to ensure public safety," and added, "Please regularly check the safety of vulnerable groups such as the disabled and the elderly, and make every effort to protect them by prioritizing their evacuation in dangerous situations."

Finally, Minister Lee stated, "To protect the safety of the people from disasters, it is necessary to go beyond the boundaries of work between ministries and agencies," and urged, "Please share disaster safety information in real time between agencies and cooperate organically to respond to disasters."