Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu Calls for Overhaul of Disaster Evacuation Order System, Orders Ordinance Revision

On August 4, Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu emphasized the need to establish an ordinance for the evacuation order system during disasters at an expanded executive meeting held in the provincial government conference room.

Governor Park stated, "To protect the lives and safety of provincial residents in disaster situations such as landslides, it is necessary to clearly establish the evacuation order system through an ordinance."

He continued, "In the case of disasters, we should not rely solely on national laws and regulations, but our province must establish a system that can be implemented independently." He added, "The Safety Management Department should thoroughly review higher-level laws and, if necessary, supplement them with an ordinance."

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is presiding over the expanded executive meeting. Photo by Gyeongnam Province

Governor Park said, "Although the authority to issue evacuation orders is granted to the central government, metropolitan governments, and local governments under current laws, there are no clear standards regarding who issues and communicates evacuation orders and how this is done in the field." He instructed, "Gyeongsangnam-do must establish its own standards through a provincial ordinance so that evacuation orders are accurately delivered to residents and actually implemented."

He added, "The ordinance must include practical manuals and procedures for disaster sites, such as how to notify those subject to evacuation orders, how public officials should guide and induce evacuation, and how to designate shelters and communicate their locations."

An expanded executive meeting is being held in the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office's administrative conference room. Provided by Gyeongnam Province

During the meeting, topics discussed included securing unused special grants from the central government, prompt execution of the provincial reserve fund, encouraging disaster insurance enrollment, and improving the livelihood recovery consumption coupon system.

Governor Park stated, "The central government plans to allocate special grants that were not executed in the first half of the year by region and function in the second half," and urged, "Each department must respond strategically and actively to secure more financial resources."

He also ordered, "We should not simply wait for central government support. The province should proactively use its own reserve funds to carry out flood recovery and disaster prevention measures. Coordinate with the Planning and Coordination Office to execute the reserve funds swiftly."

He continued, "Due to abnormal weather events such as heat waves and heavy rains, damage to the agriculture and fisheries sectors is recurring, and practical compensation is only possible if insurance is in place." He added, "Devise measures to expand disaster insurance and actively review ways for the province to support residents' self-pay burdens to reduce their financial strain."

He also mentioned the livelihood recovery consumption coupon system, stating, "There are many places to use the coupons in urban areas, but in rural areas, there are few businesses where the coupons can be used, so the actual effect is limited." He stressed, "The system needs to be improved to ensure fairness between regions."

Based on the discussions at this meeting, Gyeongnam Province plans to take follow-up actions such as revising ordinances, financial responses, and improving systems.