"All Efforts Focused on Wildfire Suppression This Week"
"Improvements to Follow After Reflecting on Wildfire Prevention and Response"
"Strict Action Against Illegal Burning, Safety Comes First"
Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo emphasized on the 26th, "We are concerned about wildfire damage unlike anything we have experienced before," adding, "During the remaining days of this week, we must concentrate all our efforts on wildfire suppression." He also stated, "As soon as this wildfire is brought under control, the government will review and deeply reflect on any shortcomings in our wildfire response and prevention efforts so far, and then propose improvement measures."
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is delivering a national address on wildfire prevention at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 26th. Photo by Yonhap News
On the same day, Acting President Han said in a public address at the Government Seoul Office, "We are confronting the worst wildfire in history with all the manpower and equipment we can mobilize, but the situation is serious." The wildfire, which started on the 22nd in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, spread to Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongdeok, and Pohang due to strong winds. After returning to office for three days, Acting President Han issued his second public address, urging cooperation for a swift containment.
Acting President Han explained, "The direct reason the wildfire is not easily contained is that strong winds blew throughout the night at a level of a strong wind advisory," adding, "We earnestly hoped for rain today or tomorrow to help control the flames, but according to the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast, there is no rain expected in the Gyeongbuk area today, and only a small amount of 5 to 10 mm of rain is expected on Thursday, the 27th."
He continued, "So far, more than 17,000 hectares of forest have been lost in an instant, and damage is snowballing with 209 locations including houses and factories destroyed," emphasizing, "If additional wildfires occur, resources for wildfire suppression may become insufficient, so we must also devote all efforts to wildfire prevention."
Acting President Han stated, "No matter how hard we try, human preparedness is always insufficient against the overwhelming power of nature, so we must reflect on whether we have truly prepared thoroughly," and pledged to significantly strengthen the wildfire response system going forward.
First, he said, "71% of wildfires in the past 10 years were caused by minor negligence of individuals such as careless entry into forests or burning trash," adding, "While the careless mindset of each citizen must change, related agencies should proactively promote wildfire prevention to the public, even to an excessive degree if necessary. They must check whether they have sufficient equipment and manpower and whether these are properly operated, and if lacking, supplement the response system and resources."
On the 26th, a vehicle burned in the wildfire that occurred the previous day is preserved in Samui Valley, Samui-ri, Seokbo-myeon, Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk Province. Three people who died while evacuating from the wildfire were found near this vehicle. Photo by Yonhap News
In particular, Acting President Han emphasized, "We will strengthen crackdowns on illegal burning, a major cause of wildfires, and strictly take action against violators according to relevant laws." He appealed to the public, saying, "Please refrain from burning rice paddies, field edges, or various types of trash, and do not carelessly discard cigarette butts," and "also, when entering forests, absolutely do not carry fire sources such as lighters or burners that could cause wildfires."
Acting President Han said, "Above all, the government will mobilize all available manpower and equipment to prioritize wildfire suppression and break the chain of wildfire spread," adding, "We will ensure that there is no neglect in administrative and financial support, including emergency relief, to help victims recover their daily lives quickly from this wildfire damage." Regarding the ongoing casualties during wildfire suppression efforts, he urged, "Local government heads and military commanders must prioritize safety to prevent further loss of life."
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, as of 9 a.m. on the same day, a total of 18 deaths occurred due to the wildfire, including 14 in Gyeongbuk and 4 in Gyeongnam. There are 6 critically injured and 13 with minor injuries. The loss is severe, including the complete destruction of Uiseong Gounsa Temple, a thousand-year-old temple and national treasure. Acting President Han urgently convened a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and scheduled a public address the previous night as the damage unexpectedly worsened due to strong winds.
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