Nationwide All-Out Response Mobilized
Disaster Declared in Ulsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do
Government to Strengthen Evacuation Orders and Hazard Controls
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 22nd that it declared a state of disaster in Ulsan Metropolitan City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do at 6 p.m. to mobilize an all-out government-wide response to the simultaneous wildfires occurring nationwide.
Previous disaster declarations include the wildfire in Yangyang, Gangwon in April 2005, the oil spill accident in Taean, Chungnam in December 2007, the wildfire on the East Coast of Gangwon in April 2019, and the wildfires in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and Samcheok, Gangwon in March 2022.
This disaster declaration was decided following Acting President Choi Sang-mok's directive to consider declaring a state of disaster and special disaster zones to mobilize all available government resources for early recovery and damage restoration. Accordingly, disaster warnings will be issued in the declared areas, personnel, equipment, and supplies will be mobilized, danger zones will be established, evacuation orders will be issued, emergency support will be provided, public officials will be called in for emergency duty, and government-wide support will enable effective disaster management.
Additionally, to prevent further damage, access restrictions and controls will be strengthened in hazardous areas. Those who do not comply with evacuation orders or enter danger zones may face penalties such as fines.
Furthermore, at 5:30 p.m. on the same day, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters was activated with Acting Minister of the Interior and Safety Ko Gi-dong as the head.
According to the Korea Forest Service, while the wildfire that broke out in Sancheong, Gyeongnam on the 21st remains unextinguished, 16 new wildfires occurred on the same day.
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