“Please Prevent Further Casualties”
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo emphasized, “The ongoing wildfires in the Ulsan and Gyeongsang provinces for the fifth consecutive day are causing unprecedented damage,” adding, “As the fires are spreading beyond existing prediction methods and expectations, all agencies should prepare for the worst-case scenario and respond accordingly.”
On the 26th, Han held the ‘Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting for the Ulsan, North Gyeongsang, and South Gyeongsang regions’ at the Government Complex in Seoul, stating, “The wildfire that started in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang, spread to Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok faster than anticipated. Despite the urgent evacuation of residents from yesterday afternoon, unfortunately, we could not prevent casualties.”
In response, the government has elevated the wildfire crisis level to ‘severe’ nationwide, issued the ‘National Fire Mobilization Order’, and the police have declared ‘Level A Emergency’. However, Acting President Han stressed, “In such an urgent situation, the most critical aspects in preventing additional damage are proactive evacuation, thorough control, and strengthened monitoring activities.”
He mentioned, “We actively conducted preemptive evacuations focusing on vulnerable groups, including residents of care facilities and facilities for the disabled. Local governments are strengthening on-site monitoring led by deputy heads, meticulously inspecting every corner of towns and villages, and aggressively implementing preemptive evacuation measures in areas even slightly threatened by wildfires.” He appealed to the public for their active cooperation despite potential inconveniences due to these measures.
Acting President Han noted, “As the wildfire spreads, the number of displaced individuals living in temporary shelters is increasing,” and assured, “The government will do its utmost to provide emergency relief and administrative and financial support so that the displaced can quickly return to their daily lives.”