Go Gidong, Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Acting Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety), announced on the 30th, "The large-scale wildfires that occurred mainly in the Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk provinces since the 21st have been fully extinguished after an all-out response."
On the same day, Go officially announced this at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Gyeongbuk Disaster and Safety Situation Room, stating, "This wildfire is estimated to have caused the largest scale of damage in both human casualties and property loss in history."
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, there were a total of 75 casualties, including 30 deaths. The wildfire-affected area is estimated to be a total of 48,000 hectares. Approximately 3,000 houses were completely destroyed, along with damage to 30 national heritage sites and about 2,000 agricultural facilities. Go said, "The wildfire damage sites are far more devastating than expected, and the sense of loss and pain of the displaced people who have lost their homes is indescribable."
The government plans to use public institution training centers and private lodging facilities as temporary shelters to stabilize the displaced and help them return to daily life quickly, and will install temporary modular housing near their workplaces. Emergency living stabilization funds will be promptly provided to confirmed displaced persons through local governments, along with psychological and medical support.
Since the wildfire outbreak, about 10,000 volunteers have participated in damage recovery and support for displaced persons as of the 29th. Approximately 55 billion KRW in donations has also been raised through organizations such as the National Disaster Relief Association.
Go stated, "Wildfires like this, which we have never experienced before, can occur again at any time, so prevention and thorough preparedness are necessary," promising strict initial responses such as frequent on-site inspections of wildfire risk areas and pre-deployment of firefighting personnel and equipment.
Additionally, he emphasized, "We will closely monitor wildfires using advanced equipment such as drones and strengthen autonomous patrols with local residents," and added, "Reflecting the very rapid spread of wildfires, we will meticulously establish pre-evacuation plans for residents."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
