As heat wave warnings are in effect across most of the country and tropical nights continue, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCHQ) has activated Level 2 of its response system and is assessing the situation.
On the afternoon of August 3, Kim Kwang-yong, the deputy head of the CDSCHQ, chaired a meeting at the Central Disaster Safety Situation Room in Sejong City to review the government's response to the heat wave.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that the heat wave and tropical nights will persist due to the influence of the North Pacific High and the Tibetan High. In response, the government elevated the emergency response level to 2 the previous day and is currently mobilizing a comprehensive government response system. Field situation managers have been dispatched to areas under heat wave warnings to assess the response efforts.
The government has instructed all available media, including public broadcasting, disaster text alerts, electronic billboards, and village broadcasts, to repeatedly inform the public about safety measures. Special attention is being given to ensure that vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and farmers, receive this information.
Additionally, surveillance activities targeting vulnerable seniors, residents of small rooms, and the homeless will be intensified. The operation of cooling centers will be thoroughly checked, and any deficiencies will be promptly addressed. In areas experiencing heat wave warnings and tropical nights, the government has urged the extension of cooling center hours to ensure accessibility.
Moreover, safety management at outdoor workplaces, such as construction sites and logistics centers, will be further strengthened. The CDSCHQ will enhance public oversight to ensure that adjustments to working hours and rest periods are effectively implemented, and will actively advise farmers to refrain from strenuous outdoor activities. Surveillance activities utilizing local safety networks, including community leaders and volunteer disaster response teams, will also be expanded.
Support for livestock and aquaculture facilities to mitigate heat damage and high temperatures will continue, alongside enhanced safety inspections to prevent facility damage from heat-related issues such as road buckling and rail distortion.
Kim Kwang-yong emphasized, “Given the serious situation with the CDSCHQ operating at Level 2, all relevant agencies must maintain the highest level of readiness and mobilize all available administrative resources to minimize loss of life. This heat wave is not just a simple rise in temperature; it is a disaster directly related to the lives of our citizens. Both central and local governments will remain vigilant and focus all efforts on responding to this crisis.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.