On July 20, Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, visited Sancheong County for the second consecutive day following record-breaking rainfall that caused severe damage. He conducted on-site inspections, led search operations for missing persons, and oversaw recovery efforts.
Governor Park instructed, "Mobilize all available resources for the search and recovery of missing persons."
He reiterated, "We will deploy all available personnel and equipment from across the province for the search and recovery operations," and added, "Utilize the full administrative capacity to protect the lives and safety of residents."
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is leading an on-site meeting related to heavy rain damage at the Integrated Disaster Response Headquarters inside the Sancheong-eup Office. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
On the previous day, Governor Park visited Mogori in Sancheong-eup, Sancheong County, where a landslide had buried a house and left residents isolated. He checked the damage on-site and encouraged rescue and recovery efforts.
He urged, "Continue the search swiftly and until the very end," and offered words of comfort to the families of the missing.
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (far left), is visiting Sancheong County in Gyeongnam to check the damage caused by the heavy rain. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
Earlier that morning, Governor Park presided over a situation meeting at the Integrated Disaster Response Headquarters inside the Sancheong-eup Office, where he received reports on landslide damage, the status of search operations for missing persons, and support measures for displaced residents.
He reviewed funeral support for the deceased and discussed the causes of the landslides as well as measures to prevent recurrence.
Governor Park stated, "Most of the areas where landslides occurred have experienced soil runoff," and added, "It is necessary to investigate and publicly address responsibility for areas that received development permits within the past year."
He also ordered, "Strengthen inspections to determine whether land was illegally damaged without permits, and establish measures to prevent recurrence."
He further instructed, "There are significant concerns about secondary damage such as road washouts and bridge damage. Conduct proactive inspections and responses in line with the changing climate patterns, which are different from the past."
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (center), is visiting Sancheong County in Gyeongnam to assess the damage caused by the heavy rain. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
He also expressed his gratitude to partner organizations such as volunteers, the Red Cross, and the Construction Machinery Association, and requested that the working conditions of provincial and municipal officials and volunteers on emergency duty be carefully monitored.
Additionally, he emphasized, "Do your utmost in the search for missing persons without time constraints. Thoroughly investigate collapsed houses and flooded areas, and make every effort to provide temporary shelters and essential supplies so that displaced residents can live without inconvenience."
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