151 Heat-Related Illness Cases Already in North Gyeongsang... 10,000 Rice Professional Farmers Launch "Resident Life Guardian" Activities

On July 14, North Gyeongsang Province held a launch ceremony for the "Resident Life Guardian" initiative to prepare for the heatwave, at the Pyeongsan Academy Training Center in Palgongsan, Chilgok. The event was attended by over 150 executives and members of the North Gyeongsang Rice Professional Farmers' Association, marking the official start of the program.

This year, the heatwave began earlier than usual. As of July 10, the number of heat-related illness cases in North Gyeongsang Province reached 151, which is 2.7 times higher than the same period last year (57 cases). There have also been two deaths during this period. In particular, there are growing concerns about additional damage among the elderly population and farmers, who often work outdoors in fields and paddies.

Gyeongbuk Provincial Government Building

Accordingly, from July 14 to September 30, during the heatwave response period, the province plans to designate and operate all 10,058 members of the North Gyeongsang Rice Professional Farmers' Association, who are most closely connected to the agricultural field, as "Resident Life Guardians" to minimize damage to farmers caused by the heatwave.

The "Resident Life Guardians" will patrol villages during the most vulnerable hours to heat (12:00?17:00), encouraging farmers to refrain from agricultural work during these times. They will also guide farmers who are working to take sufficient breaks and to work in pairs.

In addition, if a heat-related illness case is discovered, the guardians will provide emergency measures such as supplying cold water and moving the individual to a shaded area, as well as promptly reporting the incident to emergency services (119) to minimize casualties.

Furthermore, the initiative will include visiting vulnerable farming households such as those with elderly farmers, distributing leaflets on heatwave and heat-related illness prevention, and conducting joint patrols with village patrol teams. These activities aim to prepare the local community for the summer heatwave in a variety of ways.

Kim Juryoung, Director of the Agricultural and Livestock Distribution Bureau of North Gyeongsang Province, stated, "This year, the unprecedented heatwave is posing a serious threat to the lives and safety of farmers. Through the Resident Life Guardian activities by rice professional farmers, we expect to ensure safety in the agricultural field, and we will make thorough preparations to prevent heatwave damage among farmers."