Minister Sangwoo Park Holds Emergency Meeting on Heavy Rainfall: "Protecting Public Lives Is the Top Priority"

Tonight and Early Tomorrow Morning Are the Most Critical Periods
All-Out Efforts for Proactive, On-Site Response
Ensuring Worker Safety During Recovery Operations

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Sangwoo Park has ordered strengthened response measures across all sectors of national infrastructure, including railways, aviation, and roads, to prevent further damage from the ongoing heavy rainfall.

On the afternoon of the 17th, Minister Park held an emergency inspection meeting at the National Transportation Information Center Situation Room in the Government Sejong Complex, stating, "There must not be even the slightest neglect when it comes to protecting the lives and safety of the people."

Sangwoo Park, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is presiding over an emergency inspection meeting on heavy rain damage and recovery status held at the National Transportation Information Center Situation Room in the Government Sejong Complex on the afternoon of the 17th. Photo by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

The meeting was attended by the Flood and Storm Countermeasures Task Force of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, five regional land management offices, Korea Expressway Corporation, Korea Railroad Corporation, and other related agencies. Participants reviewed the weather conditions and emergency work systems, and shared the current status of damage and recovery plans in the road, railway, aviation, and housing sectors.

Minister Park stated, "Heavy rain warnings have been issued mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area and the Chungcheong region, and torrential rain is continuing nationwide. As a large amount of rain is expected through this weekend, all agencies must respond proactively under the principle of 'putting public safety first.'"

Regarding the railway sector in particular, he emphasized, "Make every effort in facility restoration and situation management, and promptly notify users in the event of service suspensions." He also called for active measures to address flight cancellations, including providing information and resolving inconveniences, as well as guidance on alternative flights.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Sangwoo Park presiding over the emergency inspection meeting on heavy rain damage and recovery status. Provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Participants focused their discussions on managing vulnerable points, such as underground roadway entry barriers and countermeasures against flooding in semi-basement homes. Minister Park urged, "Conduct thorough pre-inspections and preparations to prevent additional damage, and pay special attention to worker safety during recovery operations."

Minister Park added, "Tonight and early tomorrow morning will be the most critical period. All organizations must be fully familiar with the emergency response system, and the heads of each agency should meticulously check the on-site response status." He continued, "Carefully inspect not only aging or vulnerable infrastructure, but also privately operated expressway sections."