Governor Park Wansu of South Gyeongsang: "Damage Assessments Must Accurately Reflect Voices from the Field"

Governor Park Wansu of South Gyeongsang Province visited the Central Disaster Damage Joint Investigation Team last month to check on the status of damage assessments related to the recent heavy rainfall.

On Saturday, the 2nd, Governor Park visited the Munsan Indoor Gymnasium in Jinju, where the joint investigation team is stationed, to encourage the officials involved.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (left), is talking with officials at the Joint Central Disaster Damage Investigation Team set up at Munsan Indoor Gymnasium in Jinju City for heavy rain damage. Provided by Gyeongnam Province

Governor Park asked Lee Sangwon, head of the Gyeongnam investigation team of the joint investigation unit from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, to "do your utmost to ensure that the voices of the affected residents and the situation on the ground are accurately reflected in the damage assessment reports."

He added, "Even if it is difficult to designate an area as a special disaster zone, detailed on-site investigations are necessary so that such designations can be made at the town or township level."

Governor Park also emphasized, "As disaster situations become more frequent and severe, we need to change the existing administrative framework."

He continued, "Since the President has also stressed that the lives and safety of the people are the top priority, we will shift our administrative focus to safety in areas such as construction, roads, and rivers. In addition, we will establish comprehensive standards at the provincial level so that administrative organizations can adapt to changing times according to administrative demand, thereby efficiently coordinating municipal and county administrations."

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (right), is encouraging officials from the Central Disaster Damage Joint Investigation Team related to the heavy rain damage. Provided by Gyeongnam Province

The Gyeongnam investigation team of the Central Disaster Damage Joint Investigation Team, consisting of more than 70 members, conducted damage assessments from July 27 to August 2 in nine cities and counties within the province: Jinju, Uiryeong, Hadong, Sancheong, Hamyang, Geochang, Hapcheon, Miryang, and Changnyeong.

All national facilities were subject to a full survey, while local facilities underwent detailed assessments if the estimated damage exceeded 30 million won and the restoration cost exceeded 50 million won.

For damage to private facilities, the results of investigations conducted directly by each city and county were verified for accuracy by central government agencies through sample surveys.

Lee Sangwon, head of the Gyeongnam investigation team, stated, "The damage assessment for private property will be conducted until today," and added, "Systematic training and reinforcement of professional personnel are essential to ensure accurate damage assessments."

The South Gyeongsang Provincial Government plans to work closely with the Central Disaster Damage Joint Investigation Team to promptly develop recovery and support measures based on the investigation results.