Won Heeryong Spotted Volunteering in Gyeongbuk Wildfire-Affected Area
Serving Meals and Assisting from the 26th to the 30th
Eyewitnesses Say, "He’s Been Here Since 6 a.m. for Several Days"
Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong has been confirmed to continue volunteer activities for the fifth day in Andong City, Gyeongbuk, which was swept by a large-scale wildfire. Online community
Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong has been reported to continue volunteer activities for the fifth consecutive day in Andong City, Gyeongbuk, which suffered extensive damage from a large-scale wildfire. At the site, there have been continuous reactions of surprise at Minister Won’s unwavering presence every single day.
According to political circles on the 31st, former Minister Won has been volunteering in the wildfire-affected areas of Uiseong and Andong in Gyeongbuk for five days since the 26th. That afternoon, Minister Won volunteered to cook rice at the Andong Convention Center and, together with volunteer groups from the Gyeongbuk region, prepared and served dinner for disaster victims. He then participated in additional meal distribution activities with the Andong Red Cross at the Andong Gymnasium.
On the 27th, from 7 a.m., he engaged in volunteer activities such as cooking and serving meals and preparing lunch boxes at the Andong Gymnasium and Yongsang Elementary School. In the afternoon, he visited Gounsa Temple, which was completely burned down, to console the head monk and encouraged firefighters on site. Other volunteers expressed their astonishment to Minister Won, saying, "Are you really here again?" "Why do you keep coming?" and "You’re the first politician to come consistently."
Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong has been confirmed to continue volunteer activities for the fifth day in Andong City, Gyeongbuk, which was swept by a large-scale wildfire. Online community
A netizen volunteering at the site posted a sighting of former Minister Won on an online community, which became a hot topic. Netizen A posted on the 28th under the title, “This is the real-time Andong wildfire site, and Won Hee-ryong is not going home.” A said, “I am one person volunteering for the wildfire in Andong. Politicians who come just to bring reporters and take pictures are not very welcome, but this person has come out since early morning today as well, starting at 6 a.m.,” adding, “A member of the National Assembly is serving food and taking out the scraps from dawn till night,” expressing amazement.
Former Minister Won also posted on Facebook the day before that he attended a worship service with the congregation of Maejung Church in Yeongdeok, which was completely burned down by the wildfire. He said, “The flames have now been contained, but we still stand on deep wounds,” and added, “The fierce flames that even burned ships at sea destroyed the homes of many people. Now is the time to wipe away tears and rise again.” He continued, “I sincerely hope that warm hearts and helping hands will continue so that our neighbors can bravely overcome their hardships and sorrows.”
Meanwhile, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, a total of 48,238 hectares were damaged by medium to large-scale wildfires that occurred in 11 regions nationwide since the 21st. This area corresponds to about 80% of the total area of Seoul (approximately 60,000 hectares). As a result, there are 4,193 households and a total of 6,885 people displaced. They are reported to be staying in shelters, unable to return home.
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