Landslide Risks in Wildfire-Affected Areas to Be Identified and Inspected Before Summer

Inspections and Reinforcements to Be Completed by May 15

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, together with relevant ministries and related organizations, reviewed the preparedness of each agency with a focus on landslides, which are a major cause of casualties during the summer, and discussed measures to prevent secondary damage in areas affected by wildfires.

On April 18, the Ministry announced that it held the second meeting of the "Summer Season Natural Disaster Preparedness Task Force," presided over by Director General for Disaster and Safety Management Lee Hankyung, and discussed these issues.

Yonhap News

First, each agency agreed to identify and inspect additional areas at risk of landslides near wildfire-affected regions and carry out reinforcement work. The goal is to complete these tasks before May 15, when the summer preparedness period begins.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will conduct emergency inspections of steep slopes; the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will inspect roadside slopes; and the Korea Forest Service will focus on landslide-prone areas. These inspections will target regions at high risk of secondary damage. If urgent restoration or reinforcement is needed, immediate action will be taken.

Local governments will conduct a comprehensive survey of wildfire-affected areas and establish evacuation plans linked to disaster alert and warning systems to ensure swift evacuation. Using landslide prediction information, residents will be evacuated at the "advisory" stage, and if self-evacuation is difficult, evacuation assistants will provide support.

In addition, authorities plan to thoroughly inform residents about the importance of "pre-sunset evacuation," as there have been multiple incidents of homes being buried by heavy rain during the night and early morning hours. Evacuation education and training will also be provided to the elderly and evacuation assistants.

Director Lee stated, "The government will do its utmost to ensure safety management and prevent secondary damage, especially in areas affected by wildfires," and added, "We ask the public to actively cooperate with evacuation guidance from the government and local authorities in the event of a dangerous situation."