Overcoming Winter Natural Disasters like Heavy Snow and Cold Waves through Public-Private Cooperation

Ministry of the Interior and Safety to Hold 'Public-Private Emergency Cooperation System Review Meeting' on the 30th

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 30th that, as part of its winter disaster countermeasures, it held a meeting with related organizations and private groups involved in disaster response to inspect the emergency public-private cooperation system in preparation for large-scale heavy snow and cold waves.

Attendees included Korea Expressway Corporation, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Gas Corporation, Korea Electrical Safety Corporation, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, Korea Construction Association, Korea Construction Equipment Association, Korea Thermal Management Installation Association, Korea Central Association of Living Waste, and Korea Resource Circulation Federation.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety explained the government's comprehensive winter heavy snow and cold wave countermeasures, jointly established with related ministries ahead of the full winter season, emphasizing the need for cooperation in case of emergency situations. Recent disasters have become larger and more complex, and new disasters previously unforeseen are emerging, making it impossible to respond solely with government administrative power.

Accordingly, related organizations and private groups agreed to share information and promptly provide support so that specialized equipment, personnel, and supplies they each possess can be quickly utilized in the event of winter disasters.

Previously, in February 2014, when record heavy snow paralyzed roads and residents were nearly isolated along the East Coast, Korea Expressway Corporation and Korea Thermal Management Installation Association swiftly supported snow removal operations with about 1,900 specialized personnel and 500 pieces of equipment. This summer, Korea Gas Safety Corporation deployed personnel and equipment to areas affected by heavy rain and typhoons, conducting emergency measures and safety inspections at 3,200 locations.

Ahn Young-gyu, Director of Disaster Management at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said, "To prepare for increasingly frequent abnormal weather due to climate change, cooperation between the private and public sectors is important," adding, "We hope that in the event of unexpected disasters, specialized capabilities will be promptly demonstrated."

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