Lee Reviews Response Measures to Heavy Rainfall
Calls for Sufficient Preparation and Proactive Measures to Prevent Further Casualties
President Lee Jae Myung is presiding over a meeting to review the response to heavy rainfall at the Seoul Situation Center of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters in the Government Seoul Office Building on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News
As fatalities continue to occur nationwide due to heavy rainfall, President Lee Jae Myung criticized the response, stating, "There are cases where casualties have occurred because the response was inadequate."
On this day, President Lee presided over a meeting to review the response to the heavy rainfall at the Seoul Situation Center of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters in the Government Seoul Office Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. He pointed out, "There are cases where casualties have occurred because the response was inadequate, even though the situation could have been sufficiently anticipated in some cases," adding, "I ask that you ensure such incidents do not happen again."
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, as of 6 a.m. on this day, there have been four deaths and one person missing due to the heavy rain. About 5,000 people have been evacuated. In Daejeon and the Chungnam region, record-breaking rainfall of over 100mm per hour has caused flooding of homes, roads, and farmland.
President Lee stated, "The primary duty of the state is to protect the lives and safety of the people," and mentioned, "We will deploy all necessary resources for damage and accident prevention, even if it may seem excessive."
President Lee Jae Myung is presiding over a meeting to review the response to the heavy rain at the Seoul Situation Center of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters in the Government Seoul Office Building on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee went on to say, "It seems that all ministries and agencies, centered on the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, must mobilize every available resource and administrative capacity," and requested, "The Korea Meteorological Administration appears to be doing its best, but I ask that, even if it is difficult, you proactively disseminate weather information for each region as quickly as possible, so that local governments and national agencies can adequately respond in advance."
President Lee also addressed local governments, saying, "Please thoroughly maintain emergency work systems and faithfully implement pre-inspections and post-disaster recovery support measures," and emphasized, "I ask that you devise measures so that those affected can quickly return to their daily lives." He added, "We must thoroughly prepare in advance for semi-basement residences, people living alone, and areas at risk of flooding, landslides, or collapse and subsidence."
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