Government Holds Meeting on Typhoon 'Kkurraton' Measures... "Urges Thorough Preparedness"

On the 29th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety held a meeting chaired by Minister Lee Sang-min to discuss countermeasures in preparation for the northward approach of Typhoon No. 18, 'Kraton.'

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Typhoon Kraton is expected to pass near Taipei, Taiwan on the 2nd of next month with maximum wind speeds of 37 m/s and a strong wind radius of 320 km. It is anticipated to affect South Korea as early as the 3rd.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is delivering opening remarks at the 19th Typhoon 'Kraton' response meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 29th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety expects Jeju Island, the southern regions, and Gangwon Yeongdong to fall within the typhoon's impact zone. Accordingly, they conducted thorough inspections of vulnerable areas and facilities, implemented safety measures, controlled hazardous zones, and focused on evacuation plans to protect lives.

The ministry urged local governments, police, and fire departments to identify high-risk areas in advance to swiftly control these zones and evacuate nearby residents in case of emergencies.

They also instructed pre-inspections and reinforcements of areas previously affected by heavy rain, coastal zones, and vulnerable facilities such as underground passages, as well as maintenance of disaster prevention facilities like drainage pump stations and waterways.

Furthermore, to prevent blind spots in disaster response during the short holiday period, the ministry emphasized confirming emergency response systems and maintaining thorough preparedness. In the event of landslides or floods, they ordered rapid dissemination of disaster information and full mobilization of available personnel and resources to restore damages.

Minister Lee stated, "Since Kraton is expected to approach around the same time and along a similar path as the typhoons 'Mitag' and 'Chaba,' which caused significant damage in the past, related agencies must ensure perfect preparedness." He also urged the public to check weather information via TV, smartphones, and radio, and to exercise caution by refraining from going out during the expected hours of the typhoon's impact.