President Lee Jae-myung expressed condolences on August 17 for the loss of life caused by heavy rains in Geoje and other southern regions, urging government agencies to take proactive measures to prevent further damage.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Lee stated, "I am concerned about the damage from the heavy rains in Geoje and the southern regions. I pray for the souls of those who lost their lives due to the sudden downpour and extend my deepest sympathies to their families."
He also wished for a swift recovery for the injured, emphasizing that "the most important thing is to prevent additional damage."
President Lee instructed relevant agencies and local governments to quickly implement necessary measures on the ground and focus all efforts on minimizing damage.
He pointed out that even after the rain stops, weakened ground and rising river levels could lead to further incidents. He urged officials to closely monitor weather conditions and respond proactively to risks such as landslides and flooding.
President Lee noted that the government is assessing the situation through the Central Disaster Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, stating, "We will remain vigilant and attentive to even the smallest warning signs until the end."
He requested that citizens regularly check weather forecasts and disaster alerts, and actively cooperate with evacuation and safety guidance from the government and local authorities.
President Lee also highlighted that climate change is significantly altering the scope and nature of disasters. He pledged to comprehensively analyze new disaster risks and fundamentally reassess existing response systems to ensure the safety and lives of the public.
He expressed gratitude and encouragement to public officials, firefighters, police, and rescue personnel engaged in prevention and recovery efforts. President Lee urged on-site responders to exert a little more effort while ensuring their own safety during rescue and recovery operations.
Earlier that afternoon, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo visited the landslide site in Geoje, which was affected by the heavy rains, as well as temporary housing for evacuees. He received reports on the damage situation and evacuation status, calling for swift recovery and safety measures for residents while offering comfort to those displaced.
Prime Minister Han directed relevant agencies and local governments to expedite recovery efforts at the landslide site. He also emphasized the need to ensure the safety of on-site workers to prevent additional accidents during recovery operations.
He ordered preparations for the possibility of further landslides due to weakened ground from the heavy rains. Prime Minister Han stressed that agencies, including the Korea Forest Service and local governments, should enhance monitoring activities for landslides and proactively evacuate residents if any warning signs are detected.
Following this, Prime Minister Han checked the operational status of the temporary housing facilities for evacuees and the evacuation situation, personally addressing the inconveniences faced by those displaced and encouraging volunteers from the Korean Red Cross who are conducting relief activities on-site.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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