Visited the Site of the Accidental Bombing in Pocheon
Immediate Response to Request for Special Disaster Area Designation
"Since the State Caused the Accident, Active Consideration Is Needed"
"Provide Prompt Support from the Residents' Perspective, Regardless of City, Provincial, or National Funds"
Ordered Comprehensive Safety Inspections of All Village Houses and Facilities
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon officially requested the government on the 7th to designate the village affected by the fighter jet accidental bombing in Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, as a special disaster area.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is visiting the site of the fighter jet accidental bombing accident in Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi on the 7th. Photo by Lee Jong-gu
On the afternoon of the same day, Governor Kim visited the accident site in Nogok-ri, Idong-myeon, Pocheon-si, and received a briefing from the fire and military authorities.
Afterwards, Governor Kim visited the village hall where the affected residents had gathered and asked Ko Gi-dong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety who accompanied him, to "declare the accident area a special disaster zone even if the requirements are not met."
He also emphasized, "In the recovery process, do not argue over city, provincial, or national funds, but prioritize and promptly provide the necessary support," adding, "In addition to providing shelter for disaster victims and livelihood support funds, psychological counseling and treatment for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) must also be carried out simultaneously."
He then instructed to swiftly implement the relocation of disaster victims, emergency living stabilization payments, and medical expense support for the injured, saying, "Do whatever it takes to help residents return to their daily lives as soon as possible."
Upon arrival at the accident site, Governor Kim received a situation report and checked whether the injured were in stable condition, if there was any risk of additional explosion accidents, and whether there were any issues with the residents' relocation plans, while inspecting every corner of the village.
Since the day of the accident on the 6th, Gyeonggi Province has been operating a Disaster Psychological Recovery Support Center at the site to provide psychological counseling and support recovery and healing programs.
Governor Kim particularly ordered a "comprehensive safety inspection," stating, "Regarding the detailed safety inspections of houses and facilities planned by the province, conduct safety inspections comprehensively, not limited to the affected households."
After touring the village, Governor Kim encouraged the firefighters engaged in recovery efforts and the provincial government employees visiting households to investigate the damage status, then held a meeting to listen to the voices of the residents.
At the meeting held at the ‘Nogok 2-ri Senior Citizens’ Center,’ Governor Kim expressed sympathy by saying, "You must have been very shocked," and promised, "Gyeonggi Province and Pocheon City will work together to stabilize the situation quickly."
Governor Kim said, "This is an incomprehensible and unprecedented incident," and added, "I will firmly demand that the central government and military authorities thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and clarify the truth so that no small suspicion remains."
He also urged, "Although the government is in a period of confusion, please at least trust the military authorities and support the recovery efforts."
The village residents requested help to have the accident area declared a ‘special disaster area,’ saying, "This incident is a ‘disaster.’"
In response, Governor Kim Dong-yeon accepted the residents’ request on the spot and conveyed the position to the central government, saying to the Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety attending the meeting, "Although this accident differs from natural disasters and does not meet the requirements for declaring a special disaster area, the state caused the accident, didn’t it? Please actively consider this. We will make an official request beyond the verbal one."
Governor Kim also said, "If we stick to the regulations, we will strongly condemn and take action."
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety stated, "We will actively consider it."
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