President Lee Holds On-Site Inspection Meeting Ahead of Summer Monsoon
Follow-up Field Inspection After Safety and Security Meeting on June 5
President Lee: "First is prevention, second is preventing damage from spreading, third is swift recovery"
"Protecting the lives of the people from disasters is the top priority"
President Lee Jaemyung stated on June 12 that if a predictable accident occurs due to indifference or neglect, post-incident accountability will inevitably be enforced very strictly.
On the morning of the same day, President Lee held an on-site inspection meeting at the Han River Flood Control Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, together with officials from relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. He emphasized, "We must ensure that such incidents (caused by indifference and neglect) never happen."
He added, "The rainy season is beginning now," and said, "The first priority is to prevent disasters from occurring as much as possible. The second is to prevent the damage from spreading if an accident does occur. The third is that swift recovery is crucial."
In particular, President Lee noted, "The outcome can be completely different depending on the mindset with which our public officials and those in charge respond at each stage of the process."
President Lee said, "There is nothing we can do about natural circumstances," but added, "The results will be very different depending on how much we predict and prepare in advance, how thoroughly we adhere to the rules and manuals we have established, and how fiercely public officials care for and prepare to protect the property and safety of our citizens."
He also called for a change in attitudes toward safety. President Lee said, "I hope we can completely change our thinking about safety and the mindset toward safety-related departments," and added, "I hope we can fundamentally change things such as personnel assignments and the reward system for work performance."
He then referred to the Sewol ferry disaster and the Osong underpass disaster, saying, "These were disasters that could have been entirely avoided if a little more attention had been paid," and added, "While issues such as living well and public livelihoods are important, what is most important is that public officials always keep in mind that protecting the lives and safety of the people comes first."
Meanwhile, President Lee also held a safety and security inspection meeting on June 5, urging thorough preparations for flood damage and the rainy season. An official from the presidential office explained that the on-site visit on June 12 was to check on the implementation of those instructions.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
