The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) has been a focal point during Yoon Ho-jung's first year as Minister of the Interior and Safety. The increasing frequency of unexpected disasters has sharpened his focus on the principle that "the safety and lives of citizens are the nation's top priority."
In 2025, the country faced unprecedented challenges, including major wildfires that caused the largest forest damage on record, the hottest summer since 1973, record rainfall exceeding 100mm per hour, and the worst drought in 108 years. This week, forecasts predict heavy rain across the nation, raising concerns about landslides and flooding. Yoon, who began his tenure amid heavy rain, concluded his first year with a meeting on flood response.
Yoon's first year has been characterized by a shift from reactive to proactive measures, and from departmental responses to a comprehensive national approach. His administration has emphasized on-site responses and data-driven decision-making.
The government established a comprehensive plan for natural disaster response on May 12, designating a special response period from May 15 to October 15 for this summer.
A notable change has been the redefinition of "danger zones." Instead of focusing solely on areas with flooding history, the criteria have expanded to include landslides, river disasters, and underground spaces, increasing the number of at-risk areas from 8,964 to 9,412.
The proactive evacuation system has also been strengthened. A total of 24,525 individuals, including the elderly who may struggle to evacuate independently, have been designated as priority evacuees, with 35,697 residents matched one-on-one with evacuation support teams, doubling the previous year's efforts.
Disaster information dissemination has been enhanced. To supplement the limitations of disaster text alerts, 3,033 civil defense sirens, 19,030 village broadcasting systems, and 25,128 warning facilities have been mobilized.
On-site management has shifted to a "repeated inspection" system. Regular checks before rain and clean-up after rain have been institutionalized for over 4.238 million drainage grates, achieving a maintenance performance rate of 139.9%.
As a result of these measures, the disaster recovery completion rate before the monsoon reached 93.7%, the highest in the last decade, and there have been no reported casualties so far.
In addition to natural disasters, Yoon has emphasized on-site command in responding to social disasters. He has personally overseen major incidents, including a factory fire in Daejeon, an explosion in Yuseong District, and a logistics center fire in Incheon. By centralizing command from initial assessment to recovery, confusion has been minimized, and rapid decision-making on-site has played a crucial role in preventing further damage. Support for victims has also been provided through psychological recovery programs and emergency funding.
Following the collapse of the old Seosomun Bridge, a nationwide survey of 115 aging bridges rated D and E was conducted, leading to institutional improvements. The fire in a dilapidated house in Eunpyeong District prompted a review of safety inspection systems for multi-family housing. The focus has shifted to eliminating structural risks, highlighting the importance of preemptive inspections and management, with follow-up measures including strengthened inspection cycles and clarified management responsibilities.
Wildfire response has been a notable success. After last year's major wildfires, a comprehensive plan involving 11 agencies was established, resulting in a 99% reduction in wildfire-affected areas to 722 hectares this spring compared to the previous year, with no fatalities reported. This collaborative approach has been recognized for its effectiveness.
The average wildfire extinguishing time has also been significantly reduced from 3 hours and 44 minutes to 1 hour and 34 minutes, attributed to improved initial responses, preemptive evacuations, equipment upgrades, and enhanced nighttime response capabilities.
Another key aspect of Yoon's first year has been the institutionalization of safety measures. The Life Safety Basic Act, passed in May at a Cabinet meeting, explicitly defines citizens' right to safety and the state's responsibility for protection, marking the first such legislation in 12 years since the Sewol ferry disaster. This law also aims to enhance the reliability of accident investigations through the establishment of independent investigative bodies.
The national role in recovery after disasters has also expanded. Last year, 2.8498 trillion won was allocated for recovery from heavy rain, with an additional 214.4 billion won in disaster special grants to alleviate local financial burdens.
Support for victims of social disasters continues, with direct communication facilitated through "memory, comfort, and healing dialogues" with families affected by the Sewol ferry, Itaewon, and Osong underpass tragedies, alongside follow-up measures such as joint audits and victim support teams.
Additionally, efforts to address illegal structures along rivers and valleys have intensified. A nationwide re-survey identified 91,264 cases of illegal occupancy, and a dedicated organization is working to expedite remediation with a budget of 20 billion won in disaster special grants. Yoon has consistently emphasized that "we will not tolerate illegal and dangerous conditions" during his site visits.
A Ministry of the Interior and Safety official stated, "Protecting the lives and safety of citizens is the nation's top priority, and we have strived to respond excessively in disaster management while thoroughly preparing and preventing in advance."
The official added, "Under Minister Yoon Ho-jung's consistent principles and direction over the past year, we have managed disaster safety in response to wildfires, heavy rains, and large-scale fires. We will do our utmost to ensure the safety of the public's daily lives."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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