Park Jong-ho, Korea Forest Service Chief, "Do Your Best in Your Position to Overcome Disasters"

Jongho Park, Administrator of the Korea Forest Service. Photo by Korea Forest Service

The whole world is on high alert due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Since the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was reported on January 20th in a Chinese visitor to Korea, over 50 days have passed, and by mid-March, the number of confirmed cases in Korea exceeded 8,000, with over 70 deaths. Reflecting this situation, social distancing is being implemented across our society, with many events and gatherings being canceled or postponed.

However, amid this, the Korea Forest Service is working tirelessly every day to prepare for wildfire disasters. Without shrinking or becoming discouraged, officials are putting their heads together and faithfully carrying out their respective duties and roles to respond to disasters that can occur anytime and anywhere. There is no guarantee that disasters will pass by even in the face of COVID-19.

Especially in the upcoming spring season, when the risk of wildfires increases, the atmosphere in the forestry field is that it is necessary to familiarize themselves with new manuals for wildfire response and conduct realistic training to properly fulfill the roles assigned to each person.

This year, the Korea Forest Service is focusing its institutional capabilities on introducing an ICT (Information and Communication Technology)-integrated wildfire response system on site and strengthening a non-face-to-face wildfire monitoring system. The intention is to enhance response capabilities and efficiency by introducing cutting-edge equipment to the field, which has so far relied mainly on manpower for wildfire prevention activities. For example, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras will fly over wildfire sites to quickly and accurately locate fire outbreaks and track unauthorized entrants, laying the groundwork for strict punishment.

Additionally, an ICT platform will be established by installing sensors that detect flames, smoke, and movement throughout the forests to enable early detection of wildfire signs. The Korea Forest Service expects that once the ICT platform is successfully established and settled on site, proactive wildfire sign detection and response will become possible.

Above all, this year, the Korea Forest Service will make every effort to implement differentiated wildfire measures by region, focusing on areas affected by the large-scale wildfires that occurred on the East Coast last April. For example, many areas on the East Coast lack vehicle access roads, making it difficult for firefighting vehicles to reach wildfire sites. Therefore, the Korea Forest Service plans to newly construct 65 km of forest roads that can serve as firebreaks and allow access for firefighting vehicles in wildfire-prone areas along the East Coast.

Furthermore, wildfire monitoring sensors and CCTVs based on ICT will be installed in major wildfire-vulnerable areas to strengthen wildfire prevention, and two ultra-large firefighting helicopters with a water capacity of 8,000 liters will be newly introduced and deployed respectively in the Yeongdong and Yeongseo regions, further enhancing the capacity to respond to large-scale wildfires along the East Coast.

Starting this year, the Korea Forest Service will shift wildfire prevention publicity activities, which were previously led by the government, to a method involving local communities and village residents. In cooperation with elementary, middle, and high schools, it will operate “Visiting Wildfire Safety Classes” and encourage local residents to voluntarily participate in wildfire prevention through the “Green Village Without Burning Wildfires” campaign.

National disasters such as wildfires and COVID-19 are difficult to overcome by government efforts alone. These days, efforts by the government and the public working together to overcome disasters are more urgent than ever. To that end, the Korea Forest Service will first do its utmost to faithfully carry out its assigned duties in its original role to prevent and overcome the disasters we face.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.