South Korea Acting President Visits Wildfire Damage Site in Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk... "Reviewing Solutions for Housing Issues"

"Damage Recovery and Restoration, Top Priorities"

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is consoling residents at the wildfire damage site in Nomul-ri, Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongbuk Province on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Acting President, visited Nomulli Village in Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, on the afternoon of the 2nd to inspect the wildfire damage site and comfort evacuees at the resident shelter set up at the Yeongdeok County Sports Center.

On that day, Acting President Han received a report on the damage status and recovery plan of Yeongdeok-gun from Gwang-ryeol, the mayor of Yeongdeok-gun, and a report on relief status and recovery measures from Ko Ki-dong, Acting Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Acting President Han said, "Seeing the village everywhere engulfed in flames and the destruction of the living environment, it is difficult to even imagine how much shock and loss the residents must have felt," and added, " I urge related agencies to make damage recovery and restoration their top priority and to do their best until the end to ensure that necessary support is provided promptly on site."

He also instructed, "Please pay special attention to minimizing the inconvenience of disaster victims living in temporary shelters for a long time and promptly review long-term housing solutions. Also, complete the restoration of villages cut off from electricity and communication as quickly as possible, thoroughly investigate damage to farms and fish farms, and prepare support measures promptly so that residents do not face difficulties in their livelihoods."

He then visited the Yeongdeok County Sports Center, where evacuees are temporarily residing, to comfort the disaster victims. Acting President Han said, "The government deeply sympathizes with the difficulties you face in the shelters and will devote all efforts to swift recovery and support," adding, "We will provide sufficient meals and daily necessities and deploy professional psychological counselors to carefully help you regain stability in your daily lives as soon as possible."