Prime Minister Jeong Issues Emergency Order to Halt Work in Heavy Rain Risk Areas

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun issued an urgent directive on the 13th to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the National Fire Agency, the Korea Forest Service, and local governments to "immediately implement work stoppage measures in drainage channels and other hazardous areas" in relation to the incident where two residents working on a waterway in Hamyang, Gyeongnam, died due to heavy rain, the Prime Minister's Office announced.

Prime Minister Jeong ordered, "Strengthen inspections and evacuation guidance for steep slopes, areas at risk of landslides, retaining walls, embankments, and low-lying flood-prone areas to prevent further casualties."

He also urged, "For areas where facility damage has occurred, promptly carry out emergency restoration after the heavy rain ends to minimize public inconvenience, and ensure the safety of workers involved in the restoration."

Meanwhile, on the same day, two residents who were working on a waterway in Bosan-ri, Jigok-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam, went missing and were later found dead.

The two deceased were reportedly working to clear debris and unblock the waterway, which was about 1 meter deep and 1.3 meters wide, when the water level rose rapidly due to heavy rain, and they were swept away by the strong current, causing the accident.

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