Jeon Hae-cheol: "Doing Our Best to Support Uljin and Samcheok Disaster Victims... Operating 24-Hour Wildfire Prevention Headquarters"

Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and 3 Other Related Ministries Attend 'National Address'
'Special Large Wildfire Response Period' Until the 16th of Next Month... Consideration of Additional Special Disaster Area Declarations
Urging to Refrain from Burning Rice Fields and Farmlands, Incinerating Waste, and Entering Restricted Mountain Areas

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government announced that it will provide administrative and financial support to the residents affected by the large-scale wildfires on the East Coast, which have been ongoing since the 4th, designating Gyeongbuk Uljin and Gangwon Samcheok as special disaster zones. It also stated that it will consider additional declarations for other wildfire-affected areas based on the damage situation. Furthermore, the government has designated the period until the 16th of next month as the "Special Large-scale Wildfire Countermeasure Period" and will operate a 24-hour wildfire prevention task force.

Jeon Hae-cheol, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety), announced on the 7th through a public address on wildfire prevention that there have been 261 wildfires from the beginning of this year until the 6th, more than double the number during the same period last year. In particular, the large-scale wildfire that started on the 4th in Gyeongbuk Uljin and spread to Gangwon Samcheok caused significant damage to over 15,000 hectares of forest, according to estimates by the Korea Forest Service. The public address was attended by six ministries including Minister Jeon, Deputy Minister Kang Seong-guk of the Ministry of Justice, Deputy Minister Kim Jong-hoon of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Im Mira, Planning and Coordination Officer of the Korea Forest Service, Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, and Lee Heung-gyo, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency.

Head Jeon stated, "President Moon Jae-in approved the declaration of special disaster zones for the wildfire damage in Gyeongbuk Uljin and Gangwon Samcheok. Accordingly, we will do our utmost to ensure rapid recovery and support for the victims, including administrative and financial assistance. We will also consider additional declarations for other wildfire-affected areas after comprehensively assessing the damage situation following wildfire suppression."

He also announced plans to strengthen preventive measures such as operating the 24-hour wildfire prevention task force and forward-deploying wildfire suppression helicopters. Over the past 10 years, 76% of wildfires have been caused by minor negligence such as arson and burning, and the wildfire that occurred in the early morning of May in Ok-gye, Gangneung, Gangwon Province, started from an individual's arson.

Head Jeon emphasized, "We have designated the period from the 5th to April 17th as the Special Large-scale Wildfire Countermeasure Period, operating the task force 24 hours a day, forward-deploying wildfire suppression helicopters, and strengthening patrols with our best efforts. The government plans to strictly punish those responsible for wildfires caused by intentional or negligent acts according to relevant laws." He also added that the causes of recent wildfires will be accurately identified and strict measures will be taken.

He urged people to refrain from burning rice paddies and fields or incinerating garbage, and to observe entry restrictions in controlled mountain areas. Head Jeon said, "Please do not burn rice paddies, field edges, or various types of garbage near forests without permission. Do not enter restricted mountain areas or closed hiking trails, and even in areas where entry is allowed, please do not carry flammable materials such as lighters or burners."

He continued, "Please do not smoke or discard cigarette butts in or near forests, and if you discover a wildfire, immediately report it to the local government or the nearest forest authorities."

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