Over 5,600 Soldiers and More Than 100 Equipment Deployed to Flood-Affected Areas

Postponement of Reserve Forces Mobilization Training for 9 Units in Affected Areas

Military authorities will deploy a large number of troops and equipment to carry out flood damage recovery and rescue operations on the 17th, when heavy monsoon rains are forecast mainly in the Chungcheong and southern regions.

Jeon Ha-gyu, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, stated at the regular briefing that "Today, approximately 5,600 soldiers and around 100 pieces of equipment will be deployed nationwide for search activities and damage recovery."

Spokesperson Jeon explained, "We have postponed reserve forces mobilization training for about 1,500 personnel from nine units in the affected areas and extended leave for about 170 soldiers stationed there, as well as implemented disaster relief leave." He added, "The military will continue to flexibly adjust unit operations according to weather warnings to ensure the safety of soldiers while doing its utmost for the safety of the public through rescue, search, and emergency recovery efforts."

The Ministry of National Defense dispatched about 600 personnel on the 15th and about 1,200 on the 16th, totaling approximately 1,800 to the areas affected by the heavy rain. During this period, the number of personnel on standby ready to immediately respond on-site was about 1,400 on the 15th and 1,500 on the 16th, with a total of about 4,700 troops mobilized over the past weekend. At the flooded Osong underpass site, eight scuba divers from the Army Special Warfare Command’s 13th Special Mission Brigade and about 20 air rescuers from the Air Force’s 6th Search and Rescue Squadron were deployed. The Army Special Warfare Command also cooperated with the Chungbuk Fire Department to rescue 33 residents isolated in the Cheongju and Goesan areas of Chungbuk.

On the 16th, Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop held an emergency situation review meeting via video conference with key commanders and ordered safe and prompt responses.

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