Lee Jae-myung: "Disaster Site Response Personnel Need Psychological Treatment... Must Formalize and Prepare Active Measures"

Confusion on Site Due to Omission of Psychological Support for Field Responders in Government Response Guidelines

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 13th, urged the government to formalize psychological support for on-site response personnel related to the Itaewon disaster and to actively prepare countermeasures.

On the same day, Lee said through social networking services (SNS), "Psychological treatment for disaster recovery should also include on-site response personnel without exception."

He revealed documents such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare's official letter titled ‘Request for thorough psychological recovery support related to the Itaewon crush in Yongsan-gu, Seoul’ and the ‘Itaewon Accident Integrated Psychological Support Team Psychological Support Guidelines,’ pointing out, "In fact, the Ministry of Health and Welfare's official letter and guidelines on psychological treatment for the Itaewon disaster exclude on-site response personnel from the target group."

Lee stated, "Social disasters inevitably leave deep wounds not only on the victims and their families but also on all members of the community," adding, "Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other on-site responders are no exception. Rather, since they were at the forefront managing the accident, they are closer to urgent psychological treatment targets."

He said, "Although the ‘Psychological Support Performance Form’ includes them as subjects, confusion is expected at the front lines because they are omitted from the official letters and guidelines of the competent ministry," and added, "It may be considered a minor oversight, but for on-site response personnel who are likely to repeatedly witness accidents, failure to heal each time can lead to a vicious cycle of accumulated trauma."

Lee urged, "Tragically, two public officials related to the Itaewon disaster have already lost their lives," and said, "I earnestly ask the government to promptly formalize psychological support for on-site response personnel and actively prepare countermeasures."

During his visit to the Yongsan Fire Station on the 9th, he said, "I deeply empathize with the trauma and wounds caused by the disaster itself and the anxiety and resentment about being unfairly held responsible," and added, "We will do our best to prevent further unjust victims."

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